Public attention centred on the Dhaka-8 constituency, where former BNP minister and influential party leader Mirza Abbas faced Nasiruddin Patwary, a senior NCP leader backed by an 11-party alliance, in a closely watched parliamentary race. From the start of the campaign, both candidates drew national interest as they traded allegations of electoral misconduct, a rivalry that continued through polling day.
Voters turned out with notable enthusiasm, with many arriving early in the morning to exercise their franchise at different polling centres. At the University Laboratory School inside Dhaka University, which hosted three polling centres, around 50 percent of more than 7,000 registered voters had cast their ballots. Many voters queued before 7:30am, when polling officially began.
Dhaka University official Qurban Ali said he arrived early to avoid long lines. “We are able to cast our vote according to our will after a long time. It feels like I am voting for the first time,” he said.
Sadiqul Islam from Shapla Chattar in Motijheel said after voting, “As an aware citizen, it is our responsibility to vote. This election will determine who governs the country, and I am happy to be part of it.” Expressing satisfaction with the environment, he added, “We voted in a very orderly manner. Everything seemed well organised.”
Turnout was comparatively low in the early hours but increased steadily as the day progressed. According to presiding officers, about 25 percent of voters had cast their ballots by 11:30am.
Supporters of both candidates set up booths in front of the school. Nasir Uddin Shaon, a supporter of Mirza Abbas, alleged misconduct by Nasiruddin Patwary during his visit to the centre, but a Patwary supporter rejected the claim, saying no such incident had occurred.
The Dhaka-8 constituency comprises nine wards with a total electorate of approximately 275,000 voters.
