Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - Polling of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Election and Referendum, 2026 was held peacefully in an unprecedented festive atmosphere with around 70 percent voters making a new history in Rangpur division today. 
 
Meanwhile, counting of votes already began in all polling centres of the 33 parliamentary constituencies in eight districts of the division.
 
The Bangladesh Army and authorities have taken adequate measures in holding the polls in a free, fair, peaceful, impartial and transparent manner in a festive mood ensuring a sound law and order situation across the division.
 
Talking to BSS at 5:45 pm, Rangpur Regional Election Officer Md Dewar Hossain said that the polling began amid a festive atmosphere in all 33 parliamentary constituencies of eight districts in Rangpur division at 7:30 am.
 
“As per preliminary data received from different districts, the turnout varies from 65 to 79 percent in Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur and 59 to 71 percent in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha and Kurigram districts in the division,” he said.
 
However, there might be little variations when the final constituency-wise turnout percentages will be available from different districts to calculate the average turnout of voters in the division. 
 
A large number of voters, both male and female, stood in queues in the polling centres in all 33 parliamentary constituencies of the division and exercised their right of franchise in a congenial environment from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. 
 
Voters, especially newly registered young voters showed more interest in exercising their  right of franchise   for the first time   to elect better and committed leadership through the polls today.
 
The presence of female voters in the polling centres was notable,” he said, quoting primary reports reaching from across the division.
 
So far, no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere of all 33 constituencies in Rangpur division where members of Bangladesh Army, police, BGB, RAB and Ansar  and other agencies are ensuring full proof security for the voters .
 
“This 13th Jatiya Sangsad Elections and Referendum, 2026 has been held in atmospheres like during the national elections held in 1991, 1996 and 2001 in Rangpur division,” Dewar Hossain mentioned.
 
He said a total of 237 candidates of different political parties and independent candidates are contesting in all 33 parliamentary constituencies in the 13th JS elections in Rangpur division. 
 
“A total of one crore 34 lakh 54 thousand 456 voters, including male and female are scheduled to cast their votes at 4,546 polling centres in 33 constituencies of the division,” he said.
  
After completion of the polling process uninterrupted from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm and counting of votes  is continuing .
 
The Rangpur Regional Election Officer expressed gratitude for the sincere cooperation of the Bangladesh Army in conducting the country’s unprecedentedly free, fair and peaceful national elections and referendum.
 
Rangpur District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan told BSS that a total of 25,99,202 voters were eligible to cast their votes in the six parliamentary constituencies of Rangpur district. 
 
“Of them, 13,06,333 are female and 12,92,838 are male and 31 transgender (hijra) voters in the district,” he said. 
 
Polling was held peacefully amid tight security measures in 4,988 booths in a total of 873 polling centres in the district where 44 candidates from different political parties and independents are contesting in this JS polls. 
  
Meanwhile, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam visited the polling centres of Rangpur Government Girls' High School, Rangpur Carmichael Collegiate School and College, Nalanda International School and College and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Public School and College today. 
 
During this time, he spoke to the presiding officers on duty and voters at various polling centres and expressed satisfaction at the fair and festive atmosphere of the voting. 
 
Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Majid Ali, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Enamul Ahsan and other members of the Vigilance and Observation Team were present during the visit .