Voting underway amid festive atmosphere across Bangladesh

The 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum began in the country this morning (12 February) in what candidates and voters described as a festive and peaceful environment, with long queues seen at polling centres from early hours.

Voters have been arriving steadily at centres, forming lines in front of polling stations across the district. Voting began at 7:30am.

According to the returning officers' offices, a total of 115 candidates are contesting in Chattogram's 16 seats.

Voting began peacefully in 840 centres today with no reports of any untoward incidents during the early hours of polling in Khulna. First-time voter Laila Khatun expressed her excitement, saying, "This is my first time voting. I feel very good."

Voting is underway peacefully at 663 centres across five constituencies in Narsingdi.

A similar atmosphere is being observed across Lakshmipur, a total of 29 candidates are contesting in the district's four constituencies.

In Cumilla, a total of 7,826 voters, including 3,853 men and 3,973 women. "There is voter pressure at present and it is expected to decrease gradually," Presiding Officer Md Saiful Islam said.

Voting is being held at a total of 778 polling centres across the six parliamentary constituencies in Rajshahi.

In Bogura's 7 constituencies, there are 3,295 registered voters (1,613 men and 1,682 women).

Khulna

Voting began peacefully in 840 centres today with no reports of any untoward incidents during the early hours of polling in Khulna.

On Thursday morning, around 7:30 am, a visit to the Rayermahal Taltala Government Primary School polling centre under the Khulna-3 constituency showed a long queue of women voters waiting to cast their ballots.

First-time voter Laila Khatun expressed her excitement, saying, "This is my first time voting. I feel very good."

Housewife Salma Begum said she was happy to vote after a long time. "It feels good, brother," she added.

Though voter turnout was comparatively low in the early hours at the Maulana Bhasani Bidyapith Girls' School and College centre in Khalishpur, the number of voters gradually increased as the morning advanced.

Lakshmipur

The 13th National Parliamentary Election began in Lakshmipur this morning (12 February) amid a festive atmosphere and tight security arrangements.

Polling started at 7:30am across the district's four constituencies.

From early morning, long queues of voters were seen at different polling centres, reflecting a significant turnout.

At the Uttar Lorens Madinatul Ulum Madrasa centre in Lakshmipur-4 and the Lakshmipur Girls' School centre in Lakshmipur-3.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Hosain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi said a total of 29 candidates are contesting in the district's four constituencies.

Authorities have categorised 496 polling centres based on their importance and security needs. Of them, 215 centres have been marked as highly important, 198 as important, and 83 as general.

Narshingdi

Voting is underway peacefully at 663 centres across five constituencies in Narsingdi, with long queues of voters seen at different polling stations since morning.

A festive atmosphere has been prevailing as voter turnout continues to rise as the day progresses.

At Chinishpur Government Primary School centre under Narsingdi-1 (Sadar) constituency, a large number of voters were observed standing in separate queues arranged for men and women. Law enforcement members are on duty, and officials have taken necessary steps to ensure smooth polling.

Bogura

Voting is underway in a peaceful and festive atmosphere across polling centres in Bogura's seven constituencies today (12 February), with voters turning out spontaneously to cast their ballots.

At Mahasthan High School centre in Shibganj-2 constituency, there are 3,295 registered voters (1,613 men and 1,682 women).

As of 10am, a total of 900 votes had been cast.

Presiding Officer Matiur Rahman said polling was being conducted in a peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, at Ramchandrapur Government Boys' Primary School centre in Bogura-7 constituency, there are 4,868 registered voters. 

By 10am, 970 voters had exercised their franchise, accounting for 19.92% of the total electorate.

Presiding Officer Rakibul Hasan Ripon said voting was proceeding in an orderly manner amid a festive atmosphere and active voter presence.

Overall, the law and order situation remains normal, with voters casting their ballots without disruption.

Cumilla

Voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum began this morning (12 February) in a festive and peaceful environment, with long queues seen from early hours and voter lines in Cumilla extending from the polling centres to nearby roads.

Voters were seen standing in long lines beyond the centre premises at Dhamaicha Government Primary School centre in Laksam. Presiding Officer Md Saiful Islam said the centre has eight booths and a total of 4,004 voters, including 2,110 men and 1,894 women.

He said there is voter pressure at present and it is expected to decrease gradually.

An elderly voter Nomita Rani Pal said she cast her vote after a long time and felt good.

A similar situation was observed at Makrabpur Government Primary School and Makrabpur High School centres in Nangalkot. The two centres have a total of 7,826 voters, including 3,853 men and 3,973 women.

Chattogram

Voters began lining up at polling centres early this morning (12 February) in Chattogram as voting for the 13th general election and the July Charter referendum got underway in a largely peaceful and festive atmosphere.

Polling started at 7:30am across the city's 16 constituencies, as well as the whole country, though voting at a few centres began slightly later due to the completion of procedural formalities.

Long queues were seen outside several centres, including the Omar Gani MES College polling station in the Khulshi area under the Chattogram-10 constituency. 

Voting at the centre began shortly after 7:30am, and when polling commenced on the third floor of the men's building, polling agents welcomed the start of voting with applause.

According to the returning officers' offices, a total of 115 candidates are contesting in Chattogram's 16 seats. 

The city has 6,682,517 registered voters: 3,483,887 men, 3,198,560 women and 70 transgender voters.

Rajshahi

Voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum began in Rajshahi this morning (12 February) in what candidates and voters described as a festive and peaceful environment, with long queues seen at polling centres from early hours.

Since morning, voters have been arriving steadily at centres, forming lines in front of polling stations across the district. Voting began at 7:30am.

At Shah Makhdum College and Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute in the Rajshahi-2 constituency, voters were seen standing in queues from early morning to cast their ballots.

BNP candidate for Rajshahi-2, Mizanur Rahman Minu, cast his vote at Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute around 8am.

Speaking to the media afterwards, he said the election environment was peaceful and expressed optimism about victory.

Jamaat-nominated candidate for the seat, Mohammad Jahangir, after visiting Goljarbagh High School, also expressed optimism about the outcome.

He said there was a large turnout of voters at centres, although a slight slowness in the voting process was observed.

Voting is being held at a total of 778 polling centres across the six parliamentary constituencies in Rajshahi.