Three generations of a family voted together in Mymensingh’s Mahakali Girls School and College polling centre on Thursday. Israt Jahan Sinthi cast her first ballot, accompanied by her mother Mahfuza Akter and grandmother Hosne Ara Begum around 11am.
Israt is a Master’s student in Psychology department at Rajshahi University. She is a resident of Durgabari Bailen in Mymensingh city,
She said she had travelled home from Rajshahi on 10 February after much difficulty, determined to vote for the first time. She said, “I voted for the first time today. It feels festive, full of excitement. I’m really happy.”
“Usually elections are tense, with fierce competition over who wins or loses. But being able to vote feels wonderful. I came with my cousins, and my mother and grandmother joined me too. Voting together across three generations is a feeling I can’t put into words,” she added.
Israt also said that although she had been a registered voter in the previous election, she could not cast her ballot due to unrest and the prevailing situation at that time.
Hosne Ara Begum, now in her eighties, returned home smiling after voting. She said, “I hadn’t voted in a long time. I’m very happy to have done so today.”
Mahfuza Akter expressed joy at voting alongside her mother-in-law and daughter.
“How many people get such a fortune? Voting together like this is a very special feeling. The environment at the polling centre is also very good,” she remarked.
