Bangladeshi citizens turned out in large numbers to cast their votes in the national election, with a significant presence of women across polling centres nationwide.

Actress Azmeri Haque Badhan, a prominent voice during the July uprising, shared a message on Facebook congratulating the nation following the polls.

“Proud moment for all of us. Well done, Bangladesh! What a sleepless night we spent — and what a beautiful, relieving morning this is. I feel grateful, accomplished, and deeply proud,” she wrote.

Alongside the message, Badhan posted a side-by-side photo of herself wearing a saree and a burkha, responding to online critics who had previously mocked her by suggesting she would have to wear a burkha after the election.

“This photo is especially for those who told me to ‘buy a burkha.’ For the record, I’ve worn a burkha regularly in my daily life since childhood. To me, it’s simply another outfit — nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes it’s as practical as covering pajamas, an oily scalp, or simply blending into a public place. As simple as that. To those who tried to troll, bash, or bully — this one’s for you too,” she added.

Concluding her post, the actress extended congratulations to all participants in the election and called for unity.

“And to those who didn’t win, the experience itself is a victory. This is our country. We must move forward together with respect and unity. That’s the ultimate goal. I love my country,” she wrote.