EC to ask city corporation to act against cake vendors causing traffic outside office in Agargaon

The Election Commission (EC) will request the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to take measures against cake vendors whose activities have been disrupting traffic outside the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Speaking to The Business Standard today (9 October), EC Additional Secretary KM Ali Newaz said, "We are monitoring the situation and will instruct the authorities to take necessary action."

Since early afternoon, crowds around the mobile vendors have caused severe traffic congestion along the road in front of the EC building.

The situation worsened by evening as thousands of people were seen gathered to buy cakes, creating long queues and blocking vehicular movement.

The vendors set up stalls along the route from Agargaon Metro Station to the EC office, with some even using car bonnets and makeshift tables to display their products.

The stretch from the Election Commission building to the Government Music College was packed with vendors selling homemade cakes in various flavours, including chocolate, vanilla, blueberry, rasmalai, and butterscotch.

Cakes were priced between Tk800 and Tk1,000 for one- to two-pound sizes, while pre-sliced cakes were sold at Tk100 to Tk120 per piece.

The unusual crowding has also affected ongoing official activities, as the EC remains busy holding dialogues with different stakeholders ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections.

By night, EC officials accompanied by Ansar personnel were seen requesting vendors to clear the area to ease traffic movement and ensure pedestrian safety.