Waiting for Bangladesh election results: India

India has said that the country is waiting wait for the results of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election and referendum before commenting further.

On Thursday, Randeep Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters that New Delhi would observe the outcome and then respond accordingly.

He reiterated India’s longstanding position in favor of free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections in the neighboring country.

The Hindustan Times reported that voting concluded in Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon, with counting beginning in the evening. This marks the country’s first national election since the July 2024 student movement that led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh is currently governed by an interim administration headed by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The report also noted intense competition between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

BNP chairman Tarique Rahman expressed confidence in defeating the Islamist coalition, while Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman pledged to ensure justice and curb corruption, promising that his party would take all necessary measures to secure a fair result.

Voting ended at 4:30pm, and key preliminary results are expected later on Thursday night. While some political leaders have raised concerns over minor incidents, the Election Commission reported only limited disturbances so far.