Awami League candidate popular cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has taken the lead with a big margin of votes in the election for Magura-1 parliamentary constituency. Initial results from three centers in the Magura-1 constituency reveal that Shakib is well in the lead. Out of the 3,270 votes cast in those three centers under the boat symbol, Shakib secured a substantial advantage. In the Magura-1 constituency, there are a total of five candidates, represented by symbols such as Dub, Plow, Television, and Golden Ash, in addition to Shakib Al Hasan as the boat candidate. His closest competitor, Advocate Kazi Rezaul Hossain from the Bangladesh Congress, bagged only 71 votes. Here Shakib is ahead by a considerable margin. The constituency comprises 152 polling stations with a total of 485,000 voters, including 286,200 male voters and 199,621 female voters.  

Jim Bates, an election observer from the US, has described the 12th national election as “free and fair.” "I would like to say it is a free and fair election already," he told.   “So when they say ‘low turnout,’ that’s something to manoeuvre the press,” Bates said.   “The thing they keep talking about is low turnout, that is a misnomer. In some countries, voting goes on until 5/6pm or even months,” he added. Foreign observers visited several centres on Sunday (Jan 7).  “At this point, it looks peaceful. Hopefully that will remain the case throughout the day,” said another observer. Around 127 foreign observers are currently in Dhaka to observe the 12th national election.  

Twenty-five candidates abstained from voting in the 12th national election, citing irregularities while the Election Commission (EC) nullified the candidature of Mustafizur Rahman Chowdhury of Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali) seat. The voting took place from 8 am to 4 pm on Sunday, with these candidates announcing their boycott during this period. Earlier, the EC postponed the election for the Naogaon-2 following the death of independent candidate Aminul Islam.   The EC ensured thorough preparations for fair, acceptable, neutral and participatory polls in a festive and peaceful environment.   According to EC information, 1,970 candidates contested the 299 parliamentary seats in this national election. Among the 44 political parties registered with the EC, 1,534 candidates from 28 parties participated, and 436 individuals ran as independent candidates.   Ninety women contested the polls as candidates from political parties and independents, while 79 individuals from minority groups and others were in the race.

CEC made the statement in a speech addressing the nation on Saturday evening (Jan 6). Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday called upon the voters to exercise their voting rights freely braving all fears and concerns.  “I urge all voters to cast your valuable votes to your favorite candidate freely and fearlessly tomorrow,” the CEC said in a televised address to the nation this evening. “Cast your vote with enthusiasm and festivity to discharge your civic responsibility in forming the next parliamentary government,” he said. “Vote is yours. Don’t be influenced by anyone’s persuasion or intervention. If you face any kind of obstacle, immediately inform the presiding officer,” he added. The CEC asked the presiding officers to discharge their responsibility to ensure voters’ right by any means. Police and magistrates will stay in all polling centres to extent all-out cooperation to the presiding officers, he said.   All modes of transports will ply except motorcycle, microbus, taxicab and truck to facilitate the voters to reach the polling centers, the CEC said. CEC said that vote rigging, ballot snatching, money transactions, and possible use of muscle power in favour of any candidate or candidates will be strictly resisted.  If evidence is found, their candidature will be cancelled immediately. If necessary, voting in the centre or constituency will be completely suspended. 

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal says he is optimistic that the 12th national election will gain acceptance both domestically and internationally. “Acceptance is a relative term, but the Election Commission's commitment is to make the election as acceptable as possible,” he told a press conference at BICC in Dhaka on Saturday (Jan 6). He said foreign observers and journalists will play a crucial role in evaluating the process.   CEC Habibul Awal reiterated that their responsibility is to organise the election, not engage in political discourse.   He also acknowledged the existence of controversies within the political realm, expressing confidence that politicians will eventually address those issues. CEC Awal urged citizens to vote, emphasising the role of journalists in highlighting the truth.   However, Voting for the 12th national election is scheduled to begin at 8am on January 7 and continue until 4pm.  

The Election Commission has started distributing election materials from the offices of returning officers across the country ahead of 12th national parliamentary election scheduled to be held on Sunday (Jan 7).  Ballot papers and other polling materials, including stamp pads, official seals and marking seals, have been sent to the offices of returning officers (ROs). Balloting will begin at 8am and continue till 4pm without break at 261,912 polling booths in 42,024 voting centres across the country. From those offices, polling materials have been distributed to election officials of respective polling stations. However, ballot papers will reach presiding officers early on Sunday (Jan 7).   

In preparation for the 12th national election, a total of 517,143 members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party have been deployed across the country, a top official says. As part of the security measures, 250 platoons of Ansar were deployed as a striking force from December 29. They will be on duty until January 10. The force's Director General Major General AKM Aminul Haque spoke to the media about the deployment on Friday (Jan 5). He emphasised the readiness of law enforcement forces, including Ansar, to maintain law and order during the election.   He mentioned potential attempts by some vested quarters to disrupt the election process and assured that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to handle any situation.   Bangladesh will go to polls on January 7.