Polls are better than expected, didn't expect such a good outcome: CEC
Despite much resistance from opposition parties, with a demand to hold polls under a non-partisan caretaker government, the government did not budge and are holding the polls under the Election Commission.
The polls turned out to be better than expected, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said this evening (7 January).
"Polls are better than expected. We didn't expect it to be so good," CEC said while talking to reporters at the Nirbachon Bhaban at around 9:00pm.
"I didn't expect that much. There was resistance, which was a big challenge. Voter turnout exceeded 40%. There was no violence, no deaths and we were able to take immediate action whenever there were some irregularities. From that point of view, the election was fairly well controlled," he said.
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"I am not saying whether I am satisfied or dissatisfied. We will give you the information," he added.
The CEC also claimed that there were no fights or violence reported and not one person died during the polling.
PM Hasina orders party not to hold victory march
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given directives to her party to not hold a victory march after the national election results are announced.
Sayem Khan, deputy secretary of the Awami League, made the disclosure this evening (7 January).
"At the same time, the Awami League president has given organisational directives not to engage in any violence or conflict with other candidates or their workers and supporters," he said.
27% votes cast across Bangladesh till 3pm: EC secy
At least 27% of votes have been cast across the country till 3pm, said Election Commission's Secretary Md Jahangir Alam.
The 12th national election began today with people queuing up outside polling centres, despite the ongoing hartal called by BNP-Jamaat and a few other political parties.
The polling which began at 8am today (7 January), will continue till 4pm.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote around 8:05am at Dhaka City College polling centre in Dhaka-10 constituency (Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, New Market, and Kalabagan police station).
7:28pm
7 candidates boycott polls in Sylhet
At least seven candidates have boycotted the national polls in Sylhet Division alleging irregularities and vote rigging, reports our Sylhet correspondent.
Of them, four candidates in Sylhet-2 (Bishwanath and Osmaninagar) constituency announced their withdrawal in a press conference at Goalabazar of Osmani Nagar upazila on Sunday afternoon.
The candidates are: Gono Forum candidate and current Member of Parliament Mokabbir Khan (Rising Sun), Independent candidate and Mayor of Biswanath municipality Muhibur Rahman (Truck), Jatiyo Party candidate and former Member of Parliament Yahya Chowdhury and Trinamool BNP's Mohammad Abdur Rab (Jute fibre).
In Sylhet-4 (Companiganj, Gowainghat, and Jaintiapur) Trinamool BNP candidate Abul Hossain has also announced that he will boycott this election.
In Sylhet-3, Independent candidate Dr Ihteshamul Haque Chowdhury also announced his withdrawal from the polls after rejecting the results of two polling centres.
At 4:45pm, Jatiyo Party candidate Atikur Rahman in the constituency also boycotted the election.
6:33pm
Hopefully 'boat' will be victorious:Quader
Awami League General Secretary said he is hopeful that his party will emerge victorious in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls.
"We have been able to create the atmosphere in the election. Hopefully 'boat' will be victorious," he said while addressing a press briefing in the Tejgaon office of the Dhaka AL this evening
6:25pm
Two candidates in Khulna boycott polls
Two Jatiya Sangsad polls candidates in Khulna have boycott polls alleging vote rigging.
Trinamool BNP candidate for Khulna-1 constituency and Hindu Mahajot General Secretary Gobinda Chandra Pramanik announced the boycott on his Facebook account.
Khulna-3 constituency independent candidate Fatema Zaman Sathi announced the boycott through Facebook live.
6:15pm
Bagerhat-4 independent candidate boycotts polls
Bagerhat-4 independent candidate Md Jamil Hossain has announced boycotting the national election alleging vote rigging in a press conference at his residence.
6:00pm
Jashore-1 independent candidate boycotts polls
Ashraful Alam, independent candidate for Jashore-1 seat, has announced boycotting the polls in a press conference at his residence alleging that the whole election process was "questionable".
5:25pm
Dhaka-10 JaPa candidate boycotts polls
Jatiya Party (JaPa) candidate for Dhaka-10 constituency Haji Md Shahjahan has boycotted the national election.
4:50pm
Shariatpur-2 JaPa candidate boycotts polls
Jatiya Party (JaPa) candidate for Shariatpur-2 constituency Md Wahidur Rahman Wahid has boycotted the national election.
3:55pm
Voting cancelled at 7 polling centres, says Election Commission
The Election Commission (EC) has cancelled voting in at least seven polling centres across the country as of 3:00pm today.
"Voting has been cancelled at seven polling stations. 15 people have been handed down punishment for vote rigging or assisting in vote rigging. Those who have been punished include presiding officers and assistant presiding officers," EC Secretary Jahangir Alam said in a press briefing in the afternoon in the Election Building in the capital's Agargaon.
The EC secretary also said at least one person lost his life in an unexpected incident till noon.
"The matter is being investigated by our law enforcement agencies. We will inform you about the details of the investigation report," he told reporters.
Besides, two assistant presiding officers died due to illness, he said, adding that one of them died of heart attack while on duty last night.
Jahangir also said clashes were reported in multiple polling centres.
"Crude bombs were exploded near polling centres in some places. We have collected this information from media reports," he added.
4pm
Regardless of outcome, Mahiya Mahi announces staging showdown in Rajshahi
Actress Mahia Mahi, an independent candidate for the truck symbol of the Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency, said, "Whatever the result, whether I will lose or win tomorrow [Monday] will stage a showdown in the entire area."
"Even if they lose, I will let everyone know that I am with them," she said.
"A festive atmosphere is going on in the area around the polling and the administration is very active. Voting is being cast in a beautiful and fair environment," she added.
She said these things to reporters when she visited the Mundumala Government Primary School center of Tanore upazila around 10am today.
"This is my first election. As you all know, I am not quite a politician like others. Many have been involved in politics since before my age. As smooth as their operations will be, there will be a slight deficiency for me however, overall everything is good," she further added.
3:45pm
Munshiganj killing not related to polls, says EC secretary
Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam has claimed that the election has nothing to do with the hacking of a person outside a polling station in Munshiganj on the morning of the 12th parliamentary elections.
"Law and order forces have told us that it is actually not related to the polls. The man was accused in another murder case. The Superintendent of Police told us that he was stabbed when he came to that area. We will know when we investigate the actual incident," said the EC secretary at Nirbachon Bhaban today (7 January).
3:15pm
JaPa has been used as sacrificial lamb to establish one-party rule, says GM Quader
GM Quader, Jatiyo Party chairman has revealed fears that one-party rule will be cemented by sacrificing their own candidates.
He also said Jatiyo Party is being used as a sacrificial lamb for this purpose.
Jatiyo party currently has 265 candidates contesting in the election, the same number as the Awami League.
3pm
No atmosphere for elections, says Taimur Alam
There is no atmosphere for an election, General Secretary of Trinamool BNP Taimur Alam Khandker said today (7 January).
Responding to questions from reporters after voting at Rupsi New Model School and College centre in Narayanganj, Tamiur, also the party's candidate for Narayanganj-1, expressed his exasperation.
Two days ago, Taimur had said, "Even if we have to bite the soil, we will stay in the electoral field until the final day. If there is vote rigging anywhere, I will create a storm in the whole country."
2:30pm
No vote-rigging anywhere, claims Awami League
Despite the BNP-Jamaat calling strikes to create panic, voter turnout was satisfactory, Awami League office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua said today (7 January).
Speaking at a party briefing at the Dhaka district Awami League office in Tejgaon, he said, "There is no rigging anywhere. Such allegations by the anti-election groups are not correct."
He said the polls were fair, except for a free isolated incident.
Barua said despite the BNP's anti-election propaganda and attempts to create panic in the public mind, the turnout of voters was a victory for democracy.
He said a neutral election had been implemented as promised by the prime minister and the Election Commission.
Barua also said legal action would be taken against those opposing the elections.
1:45pm
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin casts her vote in Pirganj
Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and ruling Awami League candidate of Rangpur-6 (Pirganj) constituency Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury cast her vote at Mokimpur 1 No Govt Primary School polling center in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur district on Sunday morning.
"The polls are being conducted in a fair and impartial manner. Voters are voting in a peaceful environment and she called upon the voters to come polling centers and exercise constitutional rights," She told the Journalists after casting her own vote.
Dr Shirin Sharmin is a voter of Fatepur village, the house of Prime Minister's father-in-law.
1:30pm
Independent candidate of Jashore-1 constituency boycotts polls
Independent candidate Ashraful Alam Liton of the Jashore-1 constituency has withdrawn from the race, citing a lack of fair voting conditions.
He announced his withdrawal at his election office around 11:30am.
Several crude bombs exploded at 10 places in the Jashore-3 (Sadar) constituency, including the district town and suburbs, between 10pm on Saturday and Sunday morning. The blasts were intended to create panic among voters.
1:20pm
18.5% votes cast in four hours
About 18.50% votes were cast in the first four hours of voting across the country, said Election Commission Secretary Md Jahangir Alam.
Also, polling has been canceled in three polling stations so far, he said at a press conference at the media center of Nirbachon Bhavan in Dhaka's Agargaon on Sunday.
One of which is in Narsingdi-4 constituency and two are in Araihajar upazila of Narayanganj district.
The EC secretary said 17% of votes were cast in Dhaka division, 20% in Chattogram, 18% in Sylhet, 22% in Barishal, 21% in Khulna, 17% in Rajshahi, and 20% in Mymensingh.
So, on average 18.50% votes were cast in 8 divisions.
1:12pm
EC Anisur hopes 50% votes may be cast today
More than 50% of votes might be cast in the 12th national parliament election, said Election Commissioner Md Anisur Rahman.
"Voting is being held in a peaceful environment," said the election commissioner after casting his vote around 8:30am at the City College poling centre in Dhaka-10 constituency.
1:08pm
JaPa candidate boycotts elections in Cox's Bazar-4 constituency
Jatiya Party candidate Nurul Amin Shikder Bhutto in Cox's Bazar-4 constituency has announced a vote boycott, alleging massive irregularities, fake voting, taking over the centre, and restricting agents of plough from entering the polling centre.
The total number of voters in this constituency is 326,971 (167,140 male voters and 159,829 female). And the total number of centres are 104.
1:05pm
Supporters of independent candidate sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for trying to 'buy' vote
In the Narayanganj-1 (Rupganj) Constituency, two supporters of the independent candidate with the Kettle (lamp) symbol were arrested while trying to get votes by offering money.
On Sunday, the court fined them Tk10,000 along with 2 years of imprisonment. Senior Judicial Magistrate Samshad Begum's court announced this verdict in the presence of the defendants, confirmed the court inspector Asaduzzaman.
The accused are Sabuj son of deceased Ratan Mia and Naeem son of Mizan Mia of Agarpar area of Rupganj. Both of them are supporters of Awami League's candidate Shahjahan Bhuiya and were caught red-handed while distributing money to buy votes for that candidate.
1pm
Cocktail explosion at a polling station in Bogura
A group of individuals blew up a cocktail at Dhawapara Government Primary School polling center in Bogura-6 (Sadar) Constituency today at 10am.
Belal Hossain, presiding officer of that centre said, "At 10am criminals threw two cocktails at the centre. One of them exploded and the other was recovered unexploded. No one was hurt in this incident."
The presiding officer also said the matter was reported to the police. On being informed, a patrol team came and defused the unexploded cocktail. At present the atmosphere in the center is calm.
However, Saihan Oliullah, OC of Bogura Sadar police station, denied the incident of the cocktail explosion.
12:55pm
Irregularities reported in 37 polling stations across country, says EC
Incidents of irregularities and disturbances have been recorded in 37 polling stations across the country, said the Election Commission.
Since voting started at 8am, six people have been arrested on the charge of vote forging across the country, disclosed the EC control room.
Also, one person has been sentenced to six months in jail in Barguna.
Despite there being 300 constituencies, voters of the 299 constituencies will be able to vote at around 2.60 lakh polling booths in 42,024 polling stations across the country.
The EC postponed the election for Naogaon-2 constituency following the death of an independent candidate.
A fresh schedule for the Naogaon-2 polls will be announced soon.
12:45pm
Came to vote to encourage others: DU VC Maksud Kamal
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal said he came to vote to encourage others to also exercise their voting rights.
"It is the responsibility of every citizen to vote. Whoever comes to power must come through people's vote. That's why I came to vote and fulfill my civil responsibility and exercise my right. I have voted in my centre so that others are encouraged to vote," he said after casting his vote at Lakshmipur's Laharkandi Faridiya Government Primary School polling centre on Sunday (7 January).
He also said that people are coming to the centres to vote.
"Voters are voting in a peaceful environment," he added.
12:30pm
FM AHM Mustafa Kamal casts vote
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal cast his vote at Bagmara High School Center in Lalmai upazila under Cumilla-10 constituency.
12:20pm
Sheikh Rehana casts vote
Sheikh Rehana, younger daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, cast her vote at Gulshan Model School and College centre this morning in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election.
Rehana, also the younger sister of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, exercised her franchise at 11:53am.
Her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Awami League candidate for Dhaka-17 constituency Mohammad Ali Arafat accompanied her.
12:15pm
Obaidul Quader votes at Udayan Pre-Cadet Academy centre of Basurhat
Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader cast his vote at 10:15am at Udayan Pre-Cadet Academy centre in ward no.1 of Basurhat municipality in Noakhali district, reports BSS.
"People are casting their votes amid festivity that has proved the defeat of the movement of BNP and its allies. The presence of huge voters has proved BNP's defeat," Quader told reporters after casting vote.
He said the festivity, enthusiasm and peaceful voting atmosphere have proved that people have rejected those who resorted to sabotage and violence.
12:00pm
Ansar member injured in crude bomb explosion at Karatitola polling centre
An Ansar member was injured in a crude bomb explosion at a polling centre in Dhaka's Karatitola today.
Md Antor, the Ansar member, was injured when unidentified miscreants hurled two cocktails in front of the Chan Mia Sardar Memorial School and College centre under Dhaka-6 constituency at around 6:00am, Rony Ghosh, presiding officer of the centre, told The Business Standard.
"Before the start of the voting for the national elections, we were making preparations. During this time, two cocktail explosions occurred in front of the centre. As a result, one of our Ansar members got injured," Rony Ghosh said.
The injured Ansar member was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said the presiding officer.
11:54am
AL candidate Sheikh Tonmoy cast vote in Bagerhat
The Bagerhat-2 (Kachua-Bagerhat Sadar) Constituency's AL candidate Sheikh Tonmoy cast his vote at 10:30am at the Amlapara Higher Secondary School of Ward No. 5 of Bagerhat municipality.
After voting, Sheikh Tanmoy exchanged greetings with the present voters and activists.
Sheikh Tanmoy said "Voting is going on in Bagerhat in a festive atmosphere. I voted too. Local voters have also been spontaneously coming to the polling stations since morning to cast their votes."
"People will vote in favour of the AL for the sake of development and Inshallah will win by a huge margin," he added.
11:50am
AL candidate's supporter stabbed dead in Munshiganj
A supporter of the Awami League candidate was stabbed to death allegedly by supporters of an independent candidate at Mirkadim under Munshiganj Sadar Upazila this morning.
The deceased, Zillur Rahman, 40, was a supporter of Awami League candidate Mrinal Kanti Das of Munshiganj-3 constituency, the victim's daughter Moumita told the media.
She said her father was attacked by followers of independent candidate Faisal Biplab at around 9:45am.
She alleged that supporters of Faisal Biplab used to threaten Zillur Rahman over his support of Mrinal Kanti Das.
Superintendent of Munshiganj Police Aslam Khan told The Business Standard, "We are investigating the killing."
The body was sent to Munshiganj General Hospital morgue.
Mrinal Kanti Das was elected to parliament in 2014 with an AL ticket.
Polling in the 12th national elections began at 8am today and will continue until 4pm.
11:20am
Large voter turnout at a Dhaka-14 constituency polling station
Darus Salam Government Primary School polling station under Dhaka-14 constituency saw a large turnout of voters around 10:50am.
Polling officer Iqbal Ali told TBS, "As the day progressed more voters are coming to the centre."
"Most voters arriving here are from the age group of 45 to 60," he said hinting that he hardly saw any young voters around the age of 20-25.
A 60-year-old voter Akbar Ali from Darussalam radio colony area casted his vote and told TBS, "I have voted in all the elections since I have been eligible. Voting is my right. Today, also I voted for my desired candidate."
When asked, he said, "No one has told me to vote to any specific party."
However, there was a little disagreement between journalists and police officials in this polling center as a policeman was obstructing the journos from taking photos.
A bdnews24.com correspondent said, "The policeman mixed up the EC directives regarding capturing photos inside the polling center with that of inside the secret polling booth."
"After we read him what is written behind our accreditation card, we were allowed to capture photos."
11:10am
China, Mauritius and Uzbekistan observers visit polling centre
Some observers from China, Mauritius and Uzbekistan visited this center today (7 January) Sunday morning at 8:30am.
They observed the polling station and commented that the election environment is good.
After visiting the station, the observers visited Tejgaon College polling centre.
11:00am
Nanak casts vote
Jahangir Kabir Nanak, the Dhaka-13 boat candidate representing the Awami League, cast his vote at the Badsa Faisal Institute polling center in Mohammadpur at 9:17am.
After voting, Nanak voiced absolute confidence in his chances of winning.
He also shared his anticipation for a voter turnout exceeding 50% in his constituency.
During a brief interaction with the media, Nanak described the voting process in the area as peaceful and noted the celebratory atmosphere among voters.
According to Nanak, the voters were surprised to see such a beautiful environment.
Calling on the voters, Nanak said, "Visit the polling centers, exercise your right to vote, and fulfill your patriotic responsibility."
10:45am
Actor Ferdous casts vote at Gulshan Model School and College center
Actor Ferdous cast his vote at Gulshan Model School and College polling station in Dhaka-17 constituency at 10:30am today.
After voting, he said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina voted for me. I voted for Arafat. We are 100% optimistic about our victory."
Commenting on the polling in various places in a festive atmosphere, he added, "As much as I have campaigned, even if half of it is effective, 50% of the votes will be cast."
Earlier in the morning, there was not much presence of voters in this centre of the Dhaka-17 constituency polling centres.
10:40am
Crude bomb blast at Jashore polling centre injures one
Unidentified miscreants hurled a crude bomb at a polling centre in Jashore-3 constituency.
The incident happened at 7:15am this morning at Shankarpur Secondary School polling centre in the constituency.
Assistant Platoon Commander of Bangladesh Ansar, Maruf Hossain, who was in charge of the polling centre security, was injured in the explosion.
10:30am
Ballot stamped forcibly at a polling station in Cumilla-4 constituency
In Cumilla-4 constituency (Debidwar upazila), there has been an allegation of forcibly stamping the boat symbol on ballot paper.
When voters went to vote at Padma Govt Primary School polling center of Padmakoot village of Gunaighar union of the upazila they saw the boat symbol was already stamped on the papers.
A video of the incident show several pages of the ballot book were stamped. The assistant presiding officer and other officials present said some people came and forcibly stamped it and left.
Abdur Rob, presiding officer of that center, said, "We are taking measures. This should not have happened."
9:30am
Voting suspended at Narshingdi-4 polling station amid irregularity
Voting was suspended around 8am at Ibrahimpur Government Primary School polling centre in Narshingdi-4 constituency comprising Belabo and Monohardi upazilas.
Belabo upazila nirbahi officer and Assistant Returning Officer Matiur Rahman said before voting even began, 8-10 people tried to snatch ballot papers from the presiding officer of Ibrahimpur Government Primary School polling centre.
They also stamped the boat symbol on a few ballot papers to stuff the ballot box.
When the presiding officer informed the returning officer about this incident, he immediately directed to halt voting at the poling centre, said Matiur Rahman.
"We are waiting on the Election Commission's directive on what to do next," he added.
Seven candidates are contesting in Narsingdi-4 constituency. However, the voters believe that Awami League's candidate, Industry Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, and independent candidate Saiful Islam Khan Biru (Eagle symbol) will mainly contend for the seat.
The number of polling stations in this constituency is 158 and the total number of voters is 402,827 people.
09:30am
Dhaka-11 constituency: AL candidate hires rickshaws to drop off voters to polling stations
AL nominated candidate from Dhaka-11 constituency, Wakil Uddin, has hired a fleet of rickshaws to transport voters to the polling centres.
About 200 Riskshaws have been hired for voters to go to the Siraj Miah Memorial School polling centre in South Baridhara.
Each rickshaw has banners and stickers on them to encourage people to cast their votes.
Voters are being transported to polling stations free of charge.
A rickshaw puller named Mahbub said they have been hired to drop voters off at polling stations throughout the day.
"At the end of the day, we will be paid and food will be provided throughout the day," he said.
Mahbub said that Jahangir Alam, the councillor of Ward No. 19, had hired them on behalf of the AL candidate.
Rickshaw pullers have been seen wearing t-shirts bearing Jahangir Alam's photo and offering free service to voters to get to polling centres.
9:20am
Commonwealth team observes election
The Commonwealth election observer team is stationed at Habibullah Bahar College polling centre polling station.
When asked about the overall voting circumstances, one of the commonwealth observers said, "for the time being we are not able to discuss anything."
Earlier around 8:35am, the same team observed the polling station at Azimpur Girls School and College.
9:00am
Low voter turnout in Dhaka-16 constituency
After visiting 10 polling centres in Dhaka-16 constituency it was seen that voter turnout was very low.
In Bauniabadh Ideal School-1 Male polling station of the constituency, most of the candidates have no agents except for the AL candidate. Till 8:30am only one candidate of the "Ektara" (single-stringed musical instrument) symbol was found at the polling centre.
A voter named Ismail Hossain was happy to be able to cast a vote without facing any problems.
8:40am
CEC casts his vote
Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal cast his vote around 8:40am at Habibullah Bahar College polling centre in Dhaka-8 constituency.
Habibul Awal said, "Our primary objective is to organise the vote. Bringing voters to polling centres is not our responsibility."
He added, "Keeping the law and order is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies."
08:30am
Lower voter turnout in Dhaka-8 constituency during early hours
The Shanti Bagh High School centre under the Dhaka-8 Constituency did not see much presence of voters till 8:30am.
Only 15 voted in the first 30 minutes.
There are a total of 5,811 voters under this centre.
15-20 youths were seen to be present despite the absence of voters outside.
Most of them have a boat emblem around their neck.
A voter named Minu Akhter said, "I came early in the morning to vote. Earlier I used to see a lot of people during voting, now I went and voted alone and there was no rush. But so far the environment is fair."
"My centre was shown as Shanratibagh High School, but could not vote even after 20 minutes inside. Officials inside the centre told to contact another nearby centre," said a voter named Zaima Binte Jahangir.
A F M Bahauddin Nashim from AL is contesting from this seat with boat symbol. Other candidates for this seat are MA Yusuf with the Jute symbol and Md Zuber Alam Khan Robin with Plow Brand symbol.
8:06am
Polling begins in 16 Chattogram seats
Voting has commenced in 16 parliamentary seats in Chattogram at 8am today (7 January).
There are a total of 2,023 polling stations and 13,732 voting booths across the sixteen seats in Chattogram, according to the Election Commission.
At 7:50am, voters were seen lining up to cast their votes at the Abediya Government Primary School centre of Chattogram.
However, at some centres, such as Kapasgola Government Primary School, Bakalia Shaheed NMJ Degree College, and Dr Khastagir Girls' High School, there was a low turnover of voters.
8:03am
Voting continues in Rajshahi amid heavy fog
Even at 8 o'clock, the fog has not cleared in Rajshahi. Voters entered Rajshahi's Taherpur Jam Village Government Primary School polling station after 8am.
Awami League nominated candidate of Rajshahi-4 Constituency Abul Kalam Azad entered this center and cast his vote.
Then, one by one, the voters entered the polling booth and voted. However, the number of male voters was higher than that of female voters.
8am
Polling begins in 3 Munshiganj seats
Voting for the three parliamentary seats in Munshiganj in the 12th national parliamentary elections started at 8am.
However, there aren't many voters present at the polling stations yet due to the biting cold and dense fog. It is expected that voter turnover will increase as the day progresses.
There are 469 polling centres in Munshiganj's three electoral seats, out of which 339 have been identified as high-risk by the administration.
Additional members of law enforcement agencies are deployed at these high-risk centres.
Munshiganj-1 has 508,986 voters, with 261,848 male and 247,138 female voters. Munshiganj-2 has 352,433 voters, with 182,514 male and 169,919 female voters.
Meanwhile, Munshiganj-3 has 482,294 voters, with 249,888 male and 232,406 female voters.
Current situation
The country is under a security blanket with law enforcers deployed to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for the polls as the boycotting parties have called hartal or general strike on the election day urging people to stay away from voting.
Despite much resistance from opposition parties, with a demand to hold polls under a non-partisan caretaker government, the government did not budge and are holding the polls under the Election Commission.
Leading up to the polls day, BNP-Jamaat along with a few other political parties called for repeated blockades and hartals. There have been numerous incidents of vandalism and arson, mostly in vehicles, during these political programmes.
This is a historic election year globally, with more than 60 countries representing half the world population – some 4 billion people – set to hold elections, starting with Bangladesh and including the other South Asian nations of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The independents equation
But the election is not devoid of excitement as in a new development in the country's electoral history, the Awami League's official nominees are facing tough challenges from the party's own members contesting as independents.
In 80 to 100 constituencies, hard battles are expected between the AL candidates and the independents.
The ruling party nominated candidates are vying in the election with "boat" symbol in 266 seats, while the party is sharing 26 seats with Jatiyo Party and six seats with three partners of its 14-party alliance – three for Jasod, two for Workers' Party and one for JP-Manju.
Jatiyo Party nominated contenders are officially contesting in 265 seats. Of them, 26 are vying for the election as candidates of the AL-led alliance. However, some Jatiyo Party contestants have unofficially quitted the electoral race.
Out of 44 political parties registered with the Election Commission, 16 parties are out of the electoral race that has around 12 crore voters listed.
Though there are 300 constituencies, the EC postponed the election for Naogaon-2 constituency following the death of an independent candidate. A fresh schedule for the seat will be announced soon.
Security has been stepped up across the country after a series of arson, including a fire on a moving train, Benapole Express, on Friday night that left four people dead.
A total of 14 fire incidents were reported in 16 hours from 6pm on 5 January across the country, the Fire Service and Civil Defence said.
Some eight lakh security personnel have been deployed to maintain poll-time atmosphere by monitoring for violations of codes of conduct across the country.
