Vote counting underway as Yunus declares “new Bangladesh has begun”

DHAKA (MNTV) – Ballots are being tallied across Bangladesh following Thursday’s parliamentary election, with interim government leader Muhammad Yunus hailing the process as the dawn of a transformed nation.

“The spontaneous participation of voters, the responsible behaviour of political parties, the restraint of candidates, and the professionalism of all election-related institutions – these combined efforts have proven that our commitment to democracy is unwavering.

The people have played an active role in determining the future of the country by exercising their constitutional rights,” he said in a statement.

“I urge political parties and candidates to maintain democratic decency, tolerance and mutual respect even after the final results are announced.”

Law enforcement agencies strengthened security around polling centers across the country after voting came to an end on Thursday afternoon, removing party members and supporters from the areas surrounding the centers.

Parties react as polls close

A senior BNP official urged all parties Thursday to maintain careful oversight to guarantee accurate announcement of results from the 13th National Parliament Election.

Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the BNP’s election management committee and adviser to party chairman Tarique Rahman, made the appeal during a press briefing at the party’s election management office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Amin thanked the Election Commission, military forces, interim government, and law enforcement personnel involved in the electoral process. He also offered sympathies to families of individuals injured or killed in election-related violence.

Separately, BNP chairman Tarique Rahman indicated Thursday his party intends to form a government incorporating all organizations that joined them in their political struggle.

“We want to run the country (more or less) with those with whom we carried out the movement,” he told reporters outside BNP’s Gulshan office following visits to several polling locations in the capital.

Rahman voiced optimism about his party’s performance in what he characterized as a historic election.

When questioned about projected seat totals, Tarique responded: “We are optimistic that we will win enough constituencies so that we can govern the country well.”