Dhaka, Feb. 12 -- Vote counting is underway across the country after the completion of polling in a largely peaceful atmosphere, with high hopes of restoring genuine democracy and securing a strong mandate for national reforms.

Polling started simultaneously at 7:30am in 299 parliamentary constituencies across the country and continued uninterrupted until 4:30pm on Thursday.

Voters who were in queues at the closing time would be allowed to cast their ballots.

Apart from a few isolated incidents, including crude bomb explosions in Munshiganj and Gopalganj districts, the overall voting process remained largely peaceful.

During the election, four people died reportedly after falling sick at polling centres in Khulna, Manikganj, Dhaka and...