Rangpur: Polling in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Elections and Referendum, 2026 began amid a festive atmosphere with huge participation of voters, especially females, in all 33 constituencies of Rangpur division at 7:30 am today. People from all walks of life were seen queuing at polling centers in Rangpur city and other upazila levels, eager to cast their votes with enthusiasm after a long time. The participation of young voters aged 18 to 35 was particularly notable as many were voting for the first time to elect their preferred public representatives.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the law enforcement agencies have implemented six-tier security measures to ensure the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Elections and Referendum are conducted in a free, fair, impartial, transparent, and peaceful manner. The 11-party supported candidate, Akhter Hossen, arrived at the Bhayerahat Girls High School polling center in Tepamadhupur union of Kawnia upazila Rangpur with his mother at 8:30 am on Thursday. He assisted his mother in casting her vote around 8:45 am. Hossen, a voter from a Dhaka constituency, could not vote in his own Rangpur-4 constituency.
Similarly, ATM Azharul Islam, supported by the 11-party and Nayeb-E-Ameer of Jamaat-E-Islami, voted at the Nehar School polling center in Badarganj municipality of his Rangpur-2 constituency at 10 am. Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader could not vote at his Rangpur-3 constituency as he is registered in a Dhaka constituency.
Local observers noted that the atmosphere resembled a festive occasion like Eid-ul-Fitr, with local voters returning from other regions to participate in the election. Rangpur Regional Election Officer Md Delwar Hossain reported that voting began festively across all polling centers in Rangpur’s 33 constituencies at 7:30 am. The high voter turnout, regardless of political affiliation, caste, creed, religion, or profession, is encouraging, with a notable presence of female voters.
No untoward incidents have been reported from the 33 constituencies, with police, army, BGB, RAB, Ansar-VDP, and other agencies ensuring security for voters. Hossain compared the atmosphere to national elections held in 1991, 1996, and 2001. A total of 237 candidates are contesting in the 33 parliamentary constituencies of Rangpur division, with 1,34,54,456 voters expected to cast their votes at 4,546 polling centers.
Election officials are conducting the polls impartially, with journalists and observers monitoring the process. Voting will continue uninterrupted until 4:30 pm, followed by the counting of votes.
Rangpur District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan mentioned that 25,99,202 voters, including 13,06,333 females, 12,92,838 males, and 31 transgender voters, are likely to vote in the district’s six parliamentary constituencies. The election is progressing peacefully amid tight security at 4,988 booths in 873 polling centers, with 44 candidates contesting. Ahsan emphasized that violations of election rules will not be tolerated, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.