Voting has begun in a peaceful environment in Khagrachhari despite Bangladesh Muslim League candidate Md Mostafa having announced that he was boycotting the election citing the voting environment, administrative negligence, and security deficiencies.
Eleven candidates are contesting for the Khagrachhari constituency. However, indications suggest the main contest revolves around the BNP, Jamaat, and two independent candidates.
Although voter turnout was comparatively low in the morning, it has increased as the day has progressed. At the Perachara High School polling centre in Khagrachhari Sadar, for example, which has 4,236 voters, 16% of votes had been cast by 10:30am, according to officials.
Voting is underway at 203 centres in the district. Among these, 121 centres have been identified as “risky” and 68 as “very risky”. Three police officers and 13 Ansar-VDP members are meant to be on duty at each centre.
Additionally, 37 platoons of BGB, the army, and RAB are deployed as striking forces in the district. Four judicial magistrates and 18 executive magistrates are on duty across Khagrachhari’s 9 upazilas.
Meanwhile, Ducsu VP Shadik Kayem cast his vote at the Shishu Government Primary School centre in Khagrachhari town. He said that people have been waiting for a day like this.
He expressed hope that through this election, people will get a democratic country.
Polling, which started at 7:30am, will continue until 4:30pm.
