General Waker-Uz-Zaman, chief of army staff of the Bangladesh Army, cast his ballot this morning and said the country had awaited the election for 18 months, adding that voting was proceeding peacefully in an “environment conducive” to a credible poll.

The army chief voted at Biggan Bhaban centre in Adamjee Cantonment School and College in the capital shortly after polling opened. He told reporters he had been monitoring the situation nationwide since the morning.

“The information available to me indicates the election is taking place very peacefully,” he said. “This is an extremely important day for us.”

General Waker-Uz-Zaman urged voters to turn out without fear, describing the public as “reassured” by the overall situation. He also praised the media’s coverage, saying it encouraged citizens to cast their ballots.

“We were waiting for this day. This will be a fair election,” the army chief added. Voting was continuing peacefully across the country from the morning, he said.