All eyes now turn to Thursday’s parliamentary polls, with the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies completing final preparations for what many hope will be a defining moment in the country’s political journey.

Eighteen months after a student-led mass uprising brought down Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, the vote carries unusual weight. For many, it is not just about electing representatives but about testing whether democratic practice can reset itself after a turbulent period.

Formal campaigning ended yesterday morning after 20 days of intense activity across the country. For 12.77 crore registered voters, the wait narrows to a single day. Polling will run from 7:30am to 4:30pm without a break at 42,779 centres nationwide. Of the voters, 6.48 crore are men and 6.28 crore women.

In total, 1,755 candidates from 50 registered political parties are contesting 299 of the 300 parliamentary seats. Among them are 63 women. Another 273 independents, including 20 women, are also in the race. The election in Sherpur-3 has been suspended following the death of a candidate.

Alongside parliamentary voting, citizens will cast ballots in a national referendum on the July National Charter, a document outlining key constitutional and institutional reforms. The outcome of that vote is expected to shape governance in the years ahead.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation on television last evening, urging citizens to make election day the “birthday of a new Bangladesh.” He said voters themselves would write the history of the country’s future.

Ballot papers are scheduled to reach polling centres today under tight security. Thousands of polling officials and security personnel have been mobilised, with authorities expressing confidence in logistical readiness.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah told reporters that the overall law and order situation is satisfactory, though he acknowledged isolated incidents. He cautioned that “evil forces” remain active and called on law enforcement agencies to maintain maximum vigilance before and after voting.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam outlined a three-tier security plan. Static forces will be stationed at every polling centre, with mobile patrols deployed outside and striking units on standby for emergencies. A total of 1,87,603 police personnel will be engaged under the security plan, including 93,391 as static forces and additional members in mobile and support roles.

International observers are also on the ground. The European Union has deployed its largest-ever election observation mission to Bangladesh, with more than 200 observers. At least 60 long-term observers have been working since early January, and 90 short-term observers are set to monitor polling and counting. Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs described the overall atmosphere as “very positive” and hopeful after meetings with candidates and authorities across districts.

The main contests are expected between candidates backed by two major coalitions led by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday spoke by phone with district leaders and candidates to assess constituency-level preparations and issue directives.

Yet beneath the official assurances, anxiety lingers in some communities. In Chattogram, several minority voters expressed fear of post-election violence, recalling past experiences. A Hindu youth in Jamalkhan said minorities often find themselves blamed when results displease political actors.

In Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila, Manoranjan Shil, a farmer from Aladadpur village, said his community is still shaken by an attack last July in which houses were vandalised and property looted. “We are still in fear,” he said.

Elsewhere, minority voters in Faridpur and Rajbari reported no such concerns ahead of the polls, while mixed reactions were noted in parts of Mymensingh and Tangail.

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As ballot boxes are sealed and security deployments take position, the country stands at the edge of another electoral test. By this time tomorrow, millions will have cast their votes, and the direction they choose will begin to take clearer shape.