A large number of people began leaving the capital and major cities ahead of the national election and referendum, creating heavy crowds at transport hubs on Tuesday. The homebound rush, driven by the urge to vote, created a festive atmosphere reminiscent of Eid travel.
Heavy traffic congestion hit the Dhaka–Tangail and Dhaka–Mymensingh highways thousands of people began travelling to their villages ahead of the upcoming national election.
With factories declaring holidays for voting, a large number of workers left the capital and nearby industrial areas, increasing pressure on the highways and causing intermittent gridlock.
From the morning, Gabtoli, Sayedabad and Mohakhali bus terminals, along with Kamalapur Railway Station, witnessed a surge of passengers heading to their hometowns.
Although Wednesday is scheduled to be the last working day, many people left early with their families. Bus terminals showed scenes similar to the familiar Eid rush. Transport operators said the crowd would increase further from Wednesday, adding that most advance bus tickets had already been sold out.
From early morning, long queues of buses, trucks and private vehicles were seen at Chandura, Safipur, Mouchak, and Konabari areas of Gazipur. Travellers said the journey time had increased several times compared with normal days.
At Kamalapur Railway Station, long queues were seen for train tickets. Many employees of private organisations took two to three days’ leave and started their journeys to villages with their children.
According to media reports, many passengers waited for hours but could not get buses and were forced to travel by truck. Passengers also complained that some bus drivers and supervisors were charging extra fares.
Many travellers said they were willing to endure the extra hardship as they were getting the opportunity to vote in a festive environment after several years.
Our Correspondent Nur Nabi Robin adds from Chattogram:
A steady stream of voters are heading home from the port city, driven by a festive atmosphere, economic stability and the long-awaited opportunity to cast their ballots.
From the country’s second-largest city and principal port, workers, businesspeople and professionals from various sectors are travelling to their respective constituencies to vote.
Long-distance bus terminals in Chattogram were crowded from early Tuesday morning, with long queues forming at ticket counters. Similar scenes were observed at Chattogram Railway Station, where families waited to board trains, while passenger pressure was also evident at several river ghats and ferry points.
At the Alankar Bus Terminal, Mohammad Suman, an electrician travelling to Companiganj in Noakhali, said he was returning home with special enthusiasm as this would be his first time voting. “I became a voter in 2015, but never had the chance to vote before,” he said.
Mizanur Rahman, a voter from Lakshmipur-3 constituency, said the atmosphere felt similar to Eid. “My wife and I are both going home to vote. After a long time without voting, this journey means a lot to us,” he said.
Passenger pressure was also high on routes to the island upazila of Sandwip, with long queues forming at the Kumira ghat from early morning.
Commenting on the growing enthusiasm, Associate Professor Niyaz Uddin of the Department of Political Science at Chattogram University, said the prolonged gap between voting opportunities had heightened public interest. “The extended holiday, a relatively peaceful environment and people’s financial capacity are contributing factors. Overall, the public response to the election is positive,” he said.
