In a landmark moment for Bangladesh’s democracy, interim leader Professor Muhammad Yunus stepped into the polling booth at Dhaka’s Gulshan Model High School around 10:20 AM on Thursday, participating in the crucial 13th National Parliament elections. Post-voting, Yunus captivated the press by terming the event ‘the birthday of a new Bangladesh,’ radiating optimism for renewal.
Labeling it a day of profound happiness, Yunus asserted that the dark chapters of the nation’s history have been consigned to oblivion. He passionately called on all citizens to engage fully in the elections and referendum, while wishing everyone Eid Mubarak, blending electoral excitement with cultural celebration.
Echoing this positivity, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, fresh from casting his ballot in Dhaka, predicted a flawless voting exercise. ‘We aimed to present elections as a festive gift,’ he said, comparing the voter rush to Eid travelers heading home. Nasir Uddin highlighted his recent interactions with international observers, who praised the commission’s preparations extensively.
On the ground, NCP’s Nasiruddin Patwari, contesting Dhaka-8 with Jamaat alliance backing, reported a calm polling environment despite overnight assaults on his camp. After touring sites like Ramabag High School, he noted, ‘Everything is peaceful since dawn.’ Linking his prospects to the late Usman Hadi, whose brutal murder in December 2025 ignited nationwide fury, Patwari said voters see his candidacy as honoring Hadi’s legacy.
Hadi’s killing—gunmen on bikes shooting him in daylight—led to his transfer to Singapore, where he passed away amid chaos of riots and fires. Today, as Bangladesh votes, the shadow of such violence looms, but leaders like Yunus inspire hope for peaceful progress and democratic consolidation.