The much-discussed presidential election got underway at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday, marked by the notable absence of six key lawmakers as voting commenced in afternoon.
Under the supervision of an Election Commission-formed panel, voting began at 2pm in the parliament‘s session chamber.
While high-profile figures, including Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and BNP presidential nominee Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, cast their ballots, six MPs were not seen at the polling station as of 4pm.
The absent lawmakers include Mirza Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member and lawmaker for Dhaka-8; Rumeen Farhana, independent lawmaker representing Brahmanbaria-2; and Gazi Nazrul Islam, Jamaat-elected lawmaker for Satkhira-4.
According to parliament sources, Mirza Abbas has been staying abroad for a prolonged period for medical treatment due to illness, preventing him from participating in the election.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami recently expelled Satkhira-4 lawmaker Gazi Nazrul from the party following the circulation of a controversial video on social media.
Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana, who had the opportunity to vote for any candidate representing BNP or the 11-party alliance, was also not seen in the voting chamber in the hours leading up to the final stages.
Election officials confirmed that three dedicated ballot boxes have been set up for this seat-based voting process. Lawmakers are casting their ballots in secret after signing their respective ballot papers.
The polling is scheduled to conclude at 5pm, and any eligible lawmaker on the voter list can cast their vote by appearing in the session chamber before the deadline.
Following their voting, lawmakers from various parties exchanged greetings and participated in a photo session with Tarique and party candidate Mirza Fakhrul.
Public counting of the votes will begin immediately after the voting period ends.
