DHAKA, Feb 12: Leaders of top Bangladesh contending parties on Thursday said they would accept the results of the 13th parliamentary elections if the polls were conducted in a “free, fair and impartial manner.”
The vote is being seen as a direct contest between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s now-disbanded Awami League.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman cast his ballot at Gulshan Model School and College in Dhaka, describing the day as long-awaited by the people.
He said BNP would prioritise improving law and order if elected and would accept the outcome provided the election was peaceful and neutral.
Calling it a potential “democratic beginning,” Rahman expressed confidence about victory.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman also voted early and echoed similar views, saying his party would accept the results if the election was fair.
He expressed hope that the polls would lead to a government representing the country’s 180 million people rather than any individual or party.
Earlier, he dismissed reports of irregularities as rumours and urged the media to remain neutral.
Interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus cast his vote in Dhaka and termed the election an opportunity to build a “new Bangladesh.”
The polls, held alongside a referendum on an 84-point reform package introduced by Yunus, are expected to end his 18-month interim administration formed after Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
Voting took place in 299 constituencies from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
While authorities described the atmosphere as largely peaceful, sporadic violence was reported, including crude bomb attacks in Gopalganj and Munshiganj.
Allegations of vote stuffing, bribery and clashes led to several arrests.
A total of 1,755 candidates contested the election. Nearly 127 million voters were registered, including about 800,000 expatriates using a postal ballot system, with first-time voters accounting for 3.58 per cent. (PTI)
