Festive poll atmosphere, high female turnout in Tangail

The voting for the 13th National Parliamentary Election is going on across the eight constituencies of Tangail district today, (12 February) amidst a pervasive festive mood described by many as an Eid-like fervor.

Voting began at 7:30 AM and is scheduled to continue without intermission until 4:30 PM. The early hours of the polling have been marked by a peaceful environment and a significant show of democratic engagement, with citizens queuing in a disciplined manner to exercise their right to franchise.

A vibrant atmosphere has taken hold across the 1,063 polling centers in the district. From early morning, voters were seen entering the centers with high spirits. This enthusiasm is attributed in part to the four-day public holiday surrounding the election, which prompted a massive homecoming of professionals and workers from various parts of the country to their native villages in Tangail.

The sight of long, orderly queues characterizes the scene in both urban and rural areas, as voters wait patiently to cast ballots for their preferred candidates. Local observers noted that the current environment reflects a deep-seated public interest in the democratic process.

A hallmark of this election in Tangail is the unprecedented participation of women. At various centers, the presence of female voters in the polling lines has been significantly higher than that of men. These voters have been observed participating with great enthusiasm and patience, maintaining discipline as they wait to reach the ballot booths. The orderly and large-scale presence of women has been a defining feature of the day's proceedings.

For many residents, this election marks the end of a long hiatus from the democratic process. Citizens expressed profound relief and joy at being able to vote freely after nearly two decades, crediting the assurances of the current Interim Government and the Election Commission for the transparent environment.

Masud Miah, a businessman who traveled from Manikganj to his home center in Hugra, shared his experience: "I have been unable to cast my vote for 17 years. Previously, the day's vote would happen at night. This time, I did not miss the opportunity; I came early to the center and voted for my chosen candidate. The environment is beautiful and disciplined."

Karim Miah, another local voter, echoed these sentiments, noting the contrast with past irregularities. "In the past, votes were often cast before the actual polling day began," he stated. "Hearing that the election would be fair this time, I joined the long queue to ensure I finally cast my own ballot."

The Hugra Government Primary School center under Tangail-5 (Sadar) constituency serves as a notable example of the high engagement levels. There, presiding officer, Md. Shoriful Islam reported a steady flow of voters since the morning.

District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Huq told BSS that the election is proceeding smoothly and peacefully across the district. 

She emphasized the administration's unwavering commitment to delivering a free, fair, and neutral election.

To ensure the integrity of the ballot and the safety of the public, a robust security and monitoring infrastructure has been deployed. All 1,063 polling centers across the eight constituencies are under comprehensive CCTV monitoring.

A total of 68 Executive Magistrates and 12 Judicial Magistrates are on duty to monitor the electoral code of conduct and handle any legal issues.

Sufficient personnel from the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed across the district.

The Returning Officer confirmed that no untoward incidents have been reported so far and urged the public to ignore rumors, trusting instead in the official administrative process as they participate in this national exercise.