Dhaka, Feb. 11 -- Questions are being raised over when results will be declared following voting in Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary election and referendum.

For the first time, a referendum is being held alongside a parliamentary election. The Election Commission (EC) has already indicated that counting and the announcement of results may take longer than usual.

The EC says it hopes to announce results on Friday morning, the day after polling. However, former election and administrative officials suggest that full results may not be available until Friday afternoon.

With parliamentary and referendum votes taking place simultaneously, two ballot papers must be counted, along with postal ballots.

After results are compiled at polling st...