Ctg candidates hail ‘restoration’ of voting rights as peaceful polls going on

Voting is underway in all 16 constituencies of Chattogram, with election officials reporting peaceful polling and a steady early turnout.

Moderate queues were seen before different booths in two polling centres at Regional Public Administration Centre (RPAC) in Chattogram around 7:30 am.

KBM Mostafa Jaman, presiding officer of a RPAC centre, said voting was progressing “with much enthusiasm” at his centre, which has 2,862 registered voters. He said 8 percent of votes had been cast by 9:00am and that turnout was being calculated hourly.

At another RPAC centre, presiding officer Mohammad Yasin said polling was taking place peacefully. His centre has 2,868 registered voters, and 14 percent turnout was recorded by 9:30am.

At East Nasirabad Government Primary School, presiding officer Mohammad Obaidullah said 4.82 percent of votes were cast in the first hour at his centre.

Security has been tightened across the district, with Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police personnel patrolling key areas.

Candidates express optimism

Several candidates cast their ballots in the first hours of voting, expressing satisfaction with the polling environment.

BNP candidate Aslam Chowdhury voted at the Madrasa-e-Mohammadia Ahmedia Sunnia centre in Sitakunda at about 8:30am. The former MP, who said he spent more than eight years in prison, described the day as emotional.

“Voting today feels like the first time after 17 years,” he said. “Seeing people standing in queues spontaneously makes me feel our struggle was worth it.”

He alleged that supporters of a rival candidate had attempted to occupy some centres overnight, but said law enforcement agencies intervened promptly. Minor scuffles were reported in parts of Sitakunda, but no major disruption was confirmed by officials.

In Chattogram-9, BNP candidate Mohammad Abu Sufian cast his vote at CDA Public School and College in Chandgaon, describing the election as a “new chapter” in the country’s democratic journey.

His rival, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr AKM Fazlul Hoque, voted at Dr Khastagir Government Girls’ High School and said polling was peaceful.

Hummam Quader Chowdhury, BNP candidate for Chattogram-7 (Rangunia), voted at Jakir Hossain Government Primary School at around 9:00am. “I don’t want to be just a party MP; I want to represent all people in Rangunia, regardless of political or religious identity,” he said, praising security forces for maintaining what he described as a level playing field.

In Chattogram-5 (Hathazari), BNP candidate Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin noted a strong turnout of female voters after casting his ballot at Mirelkhil Government Primary School.

In Chattogram-2 (Fatickchari), BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir described the atmosphere as festive after voting at Engineer Nur Ahmad Memorial High School. His rival, Jamaat-backed Principal Nurul Amin, also reported a peaceful environment after casting his vote at South Paindong Model High School.

In Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish), Liberal Democratic Party chairman Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmad alleged that money had been distributed in villages in recent days. After voting at Chandanaish Sadar Government Primary School at around 9:30am, he claimed that several individuals had been detained by security forces over the allegations. There was no immediate official confirmation.

In Satkania-Lohagara (Chattogram-15), Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury said he voted in a peaceful environment and called for neutrality until the final results are declared.

Election Commission officials said turnout remained steady across the district by noon, with no reports of major violence.