Tragedy struck in Khulna where a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mohibuzzaman Kochi, died following an altercation with activists from Jamaat-e-Islami outside a polling station. While the BNP alleges he was physically assaulted, Jamaat representatives claimed he fell ill during the unrest. In Gopalganj, a 13-year-old girl and two paramilitary Ansar members were injured when a hand bomb was detonated near a polling center. Similar crude bomb explosions were reported in Munshiganj, leading to a brief suspension of voting.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who cast his vote in Dhaka, described the election as the “birthday of a new Bangladesh.” He urged the nation to participate in both the parliamentary polls and the simultaneous referendum on a comprehensive 84-point reform package. The 13th parliamentary election is effectively a contest between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, following the interim government’s decision to disband and bar the Awami League from participating.
To ensure security, authorities have deployed nearly one million personnel, marking the largest security mobilization in the country’s history. For the first time, advanced technology including drones and body-worn cameras is being used to monitor high-risk zones. Voting is scheduled to conclude at 4:30 PM, with the counting of ballots expected to begin immediately thereafter. (TNIE, PTI)
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