United News of Bangladesh

The number of women voters rose remarkably at polling centres across the capital as voting for Thursday’s national election progressed. Although turnout of female voters was relatively low in the morning, visits to polling centres in Dhaka-5, Dhaka-6, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-11 constituencies showed a steady rise in their participation from noon onwards. On the ground, elderly male voters were seen dominating the early hours, with fewer women and young voters at the centres. At Arambagh High School and College polling centre, Presiding Officer Tuhin Ahmed said around 250 votes were cast in the first three hours out of nearly 2,000 registered female voters. “However, as the day advances, the number of women voters is gradually increasing,” he said. At Mirza Abbas Mohila College, long queues of women were seen waiting patiently to cast their ballots. Nilufa Akter Mili, a voter at the centre, said she came to vote after finishing her morning household chores. “I completed breakfast and cooking before coming here. Now I see a long line of women waiting to vote.” Another voter, Afsana, who was casting her vote for the first time, said she felt excited despite having to wait in a long queue. Festive mood marks peaceful start to national election across Bangladesh With the growing crowd, some voters, however, complained that the voting process had slowed down after 11am, forcing them to stand in line for extended periods. Samia, a voter at the T&T School and College centre, said there was little crowd in the morning but the situation changed later, leading to slower voting proceedings. In Dhaka-6 constituency, Presiding Officer Shafiqul Islam of Kabi Nazrul Government College said female voters expressed satisfaction over security arrangements and were turning up without hesitation. “There are over 4,000 voters at this centre. Around 1,000 votes were cast until 11am. As the day progresses, more voters are gathering to cast their ballots,” he added. Khasru Mia, Presiding Officer at BTCL Ideal School polling centre, said they had no security concerns and were hopeful that the number of women voters would further increase in the afternoon. Women account for nearly half of the country’s total electorate. Of the 12.77 crore registered voters, 6.28 crore are women. Election officials at different centres said the spontaneous participation of women voters has made the election more inclusive and vibrant.

Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Monday directed all concerned to ensure the highest level of security at all polling centres across every parliamentary constituency in the capital ahead of the national election and during the voting and counting. Sajjat Ali issued the directive while presiding over a coordination meeting on the security plan and overall management for the upcoming election at the DMP Headquarters conference room on Monday. The DMP Commissioner stressed the need for heightened vigilance to prevent any form of disorder at polling centres. He instructed police officials to keep a close watch on centres located far from police stations and to further strengthen patrol activities within station jurisdictions. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said the election is being held in a different context this time, urging officers to perform their duties with that in mind. He said additional forces would be deployed and that maintaining law and order would receive the highest priority. At the meeting, Joint Police Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah presented the overall security plan through a PowerPoint presentation. Senior DMP officials shared their opinions during the meeting, as the Commissioner issued various directive instructions to ensure effective implementation of the security measures.