Bangladesh Election 2026: Poll dates, voting hours, voter numbers and results — all you need to know

Bangladesh votes amid political uncertainty

After months of political turmoil and bouts of violence, Bangladesh is preparing to head to the polls on Thursday, 12 February 2026. Around 12.77 crore eligible voters are set to cast their ballots in the country’s 13th parliamentary election, alongside a national referendum on proposed constitutional reforms.

Across the country, officials say final arrangements are being put in place to ensure the vote passes off peacefully. Security agencies remain on alert, while election authorities have stepped up logistical preparations. The results are expected a day later, on 13 February.

Polling day timetable and what’s at stake

Voting will take place from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without a break at more than 42,000 polling stations nationwide. Citizens will choose their local Members of Parliament using transparent ballot boxes, a long-standing feature of Bangladesh’s electoral process.

At the same time, voters will also take part in a referendum that could shape the direction of future constitutional reforms — a decision that may influence the country’s political framework for years to come.

Counting will begin immediately after polling closes at 4:30 pm. Results for both the parliamentary contest and the referendum are expected to be announced on 13 February.

Who can vote?

According to the latest electoral rolls, Bangladesh has 12.77 crore registered voters. Of these, around 6.48 crore are men and nearly 6.28 crore are women. About 1,220 voters are listed under the third-gender category — a figure that underlines ongoing efforts to make the democratic process more inclusive and representative.

The outcome will determine not only the composition of the next government but also the fate of the proposed constitutional changes.

How Bangladesh’s Parliament works

Bangladesh has a unicameral legislature — a single law-making body known as the Jatiyo Shangsad, or the House of the Nation. The Parliament comprises 350 constituencies, each represented by one directly elected member.

The country follows a first-past-the-post system. Voters select one candidate in their constituency, and the candidate who receives the highest number of votes wins the seat. This system means that even narrow victories can translate into a significant seat advantage for a party, sometimes creating a gap between its overall share of the vote and the number of seats it secures.