After a whole day of observing the elections, the one common observation made by journalists at The Daily Star and media elsewhere was this—there were no Jatiya Oikko Front polling agents in sight, and barely any of the leftist parties as well.

Migratory birds from different parts of the world arrive at the onset of the winter season every year. A number of species of wildlife and birds arrive from the Siberian region every year to escape the severe weather prevailing there.

Polythene bags have managed to stage a huge comeback, despite a government ban on their use in the country. Their use has seen such a massive increase because of

Imagine, dear reader, a youthful village belle. Transport yourself back 50 or 60 years ago. She lives with her husband and her in-laws in a farming homestead in rural East Bengal. It's been a few years since she arrived in her new home.

QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM 2018

Baag Nama

The dark clouds over my head got even darker as I got off the Hovakab. Even though this new part of our old capital city—named dhakaX without much thought—had recently been declared the area with most skyscrapers per square foot in the world, one is still able to see the sky when looking up.

The knights of the heroic king had come to the village. “Have no fear! We will liberate you from the forces of evil!” they cried, as they rode in with the dawn's light.

I've been working at the Capacity Building for 10 years. I'd like to say that nothing surprises me anymore but then again, I live in Bangladesh.

It was the hour of waking on Winter Solstice and yet a radiant sun was rising on the already bustling borough of Colony. From the first glimmer of sunlight on the shortest day of the year, the citizens of Colony would take the Choice, till the World were momentarily plunged under the cover of darkness. Once the sun rose on the new season, a new Commandant would be named.

Gujob, a word that has been repeatedly used by pro-government supporters online to lambast any critical view of the government, has made a sudden comeback this election period—after an official post by Facebook

The manifestoes of different political parties came one after another over the last three weeks, and to the dismay of women's rights activists, promises made ahead of the 11th general elections lack any determination to even try and establish a fair, equal society for women.

The fragile democracy in Bangladesh makes it necessary for the citizens to closely monitor the electoral process to not only safeguard their civic rights but also the integrity of the process.

30-year-old Sharmin Akhter* holds dual citizenship. Born to a German father and a Bangladeshi mother, she possesses both countries' passports. She was nevertheless nearly deported from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport earlier this month.

With the 2018 election at our doorstep, various kinds of polarisation and reconfiguration of political forces are taking place. Among them, the role of Islamists has drawn substantial attention. Islamists have not enjoyed as much prominence in previous elections as they have in 2018.

One of the biggest concerns this election is regarding observers, or more specifically, the number of observers participating. 25, 920 local observers have been cleared to monitor the polls, the lowest number of observers (barring the 2014 elections which saw even fewer numbers and was largely dismissed as a one-sided affair) going back to 1991.

This is the year when Bangladeshi millennials are eligible to go to polls. Star Weekend talked to young voters, many of whom will be voting for the first time, to understand what they think about the electoral process. The young voters also shared their hopes and aspirations regarding the upcoming polls, what issues they truly care about, and whether they will go to vote at all.

In the end, the votes alone will count. Or so we hope. And in around 48 hours from now, we'll know. For all that it is played up as an act of civic duty, it does offer a delicious chance at subversion, voting.

"Let the rivers run wild" last week really put the spotlight on what's happening to Bangladesh's rivers. Rivers have a significant influence on life, the environment, ecology, and travelling in the country.

The 11th parliamentary election has sparked some age-old questions which remain unanswered till today. It is said that vote is for change but what change are we talking about?