LocationsWhen a First Vote Becomes a Voice For Democracy
September 15, 2026
A voter shows the mark of participation after casting a ballot, symbolising the power of every voice in shaping democracy.
My first vote made me feel that my voice counts
For one young Bangladeshi girl, walking into a polling centre during the 13th National Parliamentary Election was more than taking part in an election. It was the first time she could formally have a say in choosing the people who would represent her.
“I felt excited, proud and empowered. I was no longer just observing democracy. I was taking part in it and making my voice count.”
Her experience was shared by millions of Bangladeshis who entered the electoral process as new voters. Among them were 3,174,401 newly registered women, representing 54 percent of all new voters.
A voter arrives at a polling centre to exercise his democratic right during Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, reflecting the importance of inclusive participation in the electoral process.
But democracy is about more than registering and casting a ballot. Meaningful participation also depends on access to reliable information, confidence to engage and opportunities for people’s priorities to be reflected in political decisions.
Through the BALLOT Project, implemented as part of the United Nations electoral assistance programme in Bangladesh, UNDP worked with national institutions and partners to promote voter awareness, civic engagement and inclusive participation. Online and community-based outreach helped connect women, young people and harder-to-reach communities with information about the electoral process.
A voter casts her ballot during Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, exercising her right to participate in shaping the country’s democratic future.
For women, the conversation also went beyond how to vote. Ahead of the national election, the Women’s Manifesto initiative by BALLOT created spaces for women from different backgrounds to identify what they wanted from Bangladesh’s next chapter of democracy.
Through a nationwide survey and feminist co-creation cafés, women identified 12 priority areas, including safety, political participation, equal rights, economic empowerment, health, inclusion and climate justice.
More than 76 percent said that including women’s priorities in a political party manifesto would influence their vote. More than 63 percent supported having at least 30 percent women candidates, while 61 percent supported reserving 40 percent of parliamentary seats for women.
The findings underline a wider challenge: women must not only participate as voters, but also have meaningful opportunities to become candidates, political leaders and decision makers.
Bangladesh has committed under the Representation of the People Order to achieving 33 percent women’s representation in political party committees by 2030. Yet women currently hold only 16 percent of seats in Parliament, including reserved seats.
Research supported through BALLOT found that women continue to face financial barriers, male-dominated political structures, unpaid care responsibilities, limited access to decision making and violence, including violence online.
While more than 87 percent of respondents were aware of the 33 percent representation target, 72 percent believed it would be difficult to achieve without stronger implementation, transparent nomination processes and greater institutional support.
Turning these findings into action also requires institutions to listen.
For the first time, the Bangladesh Election Commission marked International Women’s Day by bringing together senior and field-level election officials to discuss barriers to women’s political participation and practical solutions. Supported through BALLOT, led by UNDP in collaboration with UN Women and UNESCO, the dialogue helped connect evidence with institutional learning and explore ways to make political participation safer and more inclusive.
As Bangladesh prepares for upcoming local government elections, BALLOT will continue supporting efforts to strengthen inclusive electoral processes, particularly women’s participation and leadership as voters, candidates and decision makers.
On International Day of Democracy, these experiences remind us that democracy is not built on election day alone. It grows when people can access information, make informed choices, participate freely and see themselves represented in political life.
Through the BALLOT Project and the wider United Nations electoral assistance programme, UNDP continues to work alongside the Bangladesh Election Commission and other national stakeholders, with support from the Governments of Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, to advance a more inclusive and participatory democracy where every voice counts.
Democracy belongs to everyone. Inclusive elections ensure every citizen has the opportunity to participate and be heard.
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