FEB 12 (V7N) - Voting began peacefully this morning in Khulna, Rajshahi and Narsingdi districts, with no reports of untoward incidents during the early hours of polling. A festive atmosphere and growing voter turnout were observed in many centres as the day progressed.

Polling started at 7:30 am at 840 centres across six parliamentary constituencies in Khulna district.

A visit to Rayermahal Taltala Government Primary School centre under Khulna-3 constituency showed long queues of women voters waiting to cast their ballots.

First-time voter Laila Khatun expressed her excitement, saying, “This is my first time voting. I feel very good.”

Housewife Salma Begum said she was happy to vote after a long time, adding, “It feels good, brother.”

Although turnout was comparatively low in the early hours at Maulana Bhasani Bidyapith Girls' School and College centre in Khalishpur, voter presence increased gradually. A similar trend was observed at the Lions School centre under Khulna-2 constituency.

Khulna District Returning Officer A.S.M. Jamshed Khondoker said a total of 20,78,253 voters are registered in the district’s six constituencies — 10,33,851 male, 10,44,375 female and 27 third-gender voters. A total of 38 candidates are contesting in the six seats.

Voting is underway at 778 polling centres in six constituencies of Rajshahi district and will continue until 4:30 pm. For the first time, a referendum is being held alongside the national election.

Voter turnout was encouraging from the start, with presiding officers expecting participation to rise further throughout the day. Law enforcement personnel have been deployed at all centres to ensure security.

A total of 32 candidates are contesting in the six constituencies. The district has 2,269,499 registered voters — 1,121,557 male, 1,147,914 female and 28 third-gender voters.

Rajshahi Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter said all preparations have been completed to ensure a neutral and transparent election. “Any violation of election laws will be dealt with strictly,” she said, expressing hope for a peaceful and festive polling day.

Voting is also underway peacefully at 663 centres across five constituencies in Narsingdi. Long queues of voters were seen at various polling stations since morning.

At Chinishpur Government Primary School centre under Narsingdi-1 (Sadar) constituency, voters stood in separate queues for men and women, while law enforcement personnel maintained order.

BNP-nominated candidate Khairul Kabir Khokon, contesting with the sheaf of paddy symbol, and Md. Ibrahim Bhuiyan, contesting with the scales symbol, cast their votes at the centre.

Khokon expressed satisfaction over the polling environment and voiced optimism about his victory, while Bhuiyan said voters were exercising their rights in a festive mood and also expressed hope for success.

Election officials across the three districts expressed optimism that voting would continue smoothly and conclude without any untoward incidents.

END/KKM/RH/