By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - Voting began at 7:30 am today in six constituencies of Rajshahi district and will continue until 4:30 pm. For the first time, a referendum is being held alongside the national election.

Voter turnout was encouraging from the early hours, with many polling centres witnessing a significant presence of voters. Presiding officers said turnout is expected to rise further as the day progresses.

No untoward incidents had been reported at the time of filing this report. Law enforcement personnel have been deployed at all polling centres to ensure peaceful voting.

A total of 32 candidates are contesting in the six constituencies - five in Rajshahi-1, six in Rajshahi-2, five in Rajshahi-3, four in Rajshahi-4, seven in Rajshahi-5 and four in Rajshahi-6. The contests are expected to be closely fought in most of the constituencies.

There are 778 polling centres across the district's six constituencies. The total number of voters stands at 2,269,499, including 1,121,557 male voters, 1,147,914 female voters and 28 third-gender voters.
The six constituencies comprise nine upazilas, 14 municipalities and 72 unions. Rajshahi-2 falls under the Rajshahi City Corporation area.

Rajshahi-1 (Godagari and Tanore upazilas) has 464,704 voters - 230,884 male, 233,817 female and three third-gender voters - across 159 polling centres.

Rajshahi-2 (Rajshahi City Corporation) has 364,330 voters - 174,465 male, 189,857 female and eight third-gender voters - with 115 polling centres.

Rajshahi-3 (Paba and Mohanpur upazilas) has 420,839 voters - 208,690 male, 212,143 female and six third-gender voters - across 131 polling centres.

Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara upazila) has 316,521 voters - 158,068 male, 158,449 female and four third-gender voters - with 122 polling centres.

Rajshahi-5 (Puthia and Durgapur upazilas) has 350,214 voters - 174,539 male, 175,670 female and five third-gender voters - across 132 polling centres.

Rajshahi-6 (Bagha and Charghat upazilas) has 352,879 voters - 174,911 male, 177,966 female and two third-gender voters - with 119 polling centres.

Rajshahi Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter expressed hope that the election would be held in a peaceful and festive atmosphere.

"We are committed to holding a neutral and transparent election. All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that voters can cast their ballots properly. Any violation of election laws will be dealt with strictly," she said.

She added that after the completion of vote counting, presiding officers will submit the used ballot papers to the Assistant Returning Officers, from where the results will be officially announced.