United News of Bangladesh

BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-4 Tanvir Ahmed Robin cast his vote at Shyampur Government Model School and College centre in on Thursday morning, where voters complained about a slow voting process. Robin voted around 8:45am and later told reporters that many voters had to wait in line for more than an hour. He said an accountable government would be established through a free and fair election. “Today is a very important day for our nation. We hope a free and fair election will reflect the people’s mandate,” Robin said. Before voting, Robin visited Bagcharan Government Primary School centre in Ward 59, where he said voters were present in a festive mood. However, at his own centre, he heard complaints about delays. Robin entered the centre and spoke to the officials. According to him, the officials said voting was delayed at the start due to some initial disorganisation, but the situation later became normal. Presiding Officer Mohammad Zakir Hossain said voting began around 7:45am instead of 7:30am as some candidates’ agents arrived late. He also said some voters mistakenly came to the wrong centre, causing longer queues. Zakir said the environment is peaceful, but voter turnout was low. As of 9:00am, only 60 votes were cast out of 3,588 registered voters at the centre.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday, the final day of electioneering, instructed party leaders, activists and supporters not to leave polling centres until the vote counting is completed and results are confirmed. “When will you go to vote? You must go early in the morning. But going early is not enough. Everyone must go to their respective polling centres, offer Fajr prayers there and then stand in front of the polling centre,” he said. Tarique gave the directive while addressing an election rally at Dayaganj in Jurain under the Dhaka-4 constituency. He also instructed party leaders and supporters not to return home immediately after casting their votes. “You must wait until the very end. Leave only after voting is completed and the votes are counted properly,” Tarique said. The BNP chief said over the past decade, people were deprived not only of their voting rights but also of their economic freedom. “But today, once again, a conspiracy against democracy has begun. We must resist this conspiracy,” he said. Warning against complacency, Tarique said if the country becomes trapped in such conspiracies again, Bangladesh will fall further behind and the long-awaited change in people’s fortunes will be delayed. “That is why you must remain alert during the election on the 12th. Keep your eyes and ears open,” he said. Introducing BNP’s candidate for Dhaka-4, Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Tarique urged local voters to ensure his victory. Earlier, Tarique addressed rallies at Basabo Tarun Sangha ground in Dhaka-9 constituency and at Shaheed Faruk Road in Jatrabari under Dhaka-5. After the Dhaka-4 rally, he spoke at Dhopkhola field in Dhaka-6 constituency. The BNP chairman addressed his final election rally at Lalbagh Balur Math in Dhaka-7 at around 9:30 pm after nearly eight hours of continuous campaigning. He formally wrapped up his election campaign by visiting the graves of his parents at around 11:00 pm.