Dhaka, Feb. 12 -- Bangladesh has completed balloting in the general election and concurrent referendum without any major incidents, with counting now under way across the country.

The Election Commission (EC) reported turnout of around 48 percent by 2pm, based on data from 36,031 of 43,000 centres.

Officials estimate the final turnout could reach 55-60 percent.

Polls were open from 7:30am to 4:30pm, with those already inside centres allowed to cast ballots beyond the deadline.

LEADERS CAST THEIR VOTES

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus described the day as one of "liberation" after voting in Dhaka, while Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said the nation had "boarded the train of democracy".

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman expressed ...