Tungipara, the historical residence and previous electoral stronghold of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina who was removed from power, was anticipated to have a low voter turnout during the election. However, the constituency surprised many by recording a higher voter participation rate than expected.
Although the Awami League was disqualified from participating in the election, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zahirul Alam announced that the voter turnout in Tungipara was 38.40 percent after polling concluded at 4:30 pm the previous day.
Initially, there were few voters present at the polling centers in the Gopalganj-3 (Tungipara-Kotalipara) constituency when voting commenced at 7:30 am, but the number gradually increased throughout the day.
Out of the 93,903 registered voters in Tungipara upazila, 36,061 individuals cast their votes.
Observations at various polling centers revealed that there were no significant queues at most locations, except at the Tungipara Government College center where nearly 20 percent of the votes were cast by noon.
By 2:00 pm, the voter turnout at the Kairail Kopa Government Primary School center, situated near the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had reached 22.43 percent. Similarly, 20.18 percent of votes were recorded at the Baghiar Ghat School and College center by 2:30 pm.
Some voters outside the polling stations shared their perspectives cautiously optimistic.
Sanjit Kumar, a 62-year-old resident of Ward No. 10 in Tungipara, mentioned, “The election is proceeding smoothly. Many people have turned up to vote. We aim to elect someone who will uphold the development initiatives and finish ongoing projects.”
A young voter, Enjamul Haque Rasu, articulated a desire for broader change.
“We aspire for a fair, compassionate, and justice-oriented Bangladesh. In the past 17 years, we have witnessed the erosion of people’s voting rights. Our generation seeks a Bangladesh where voting rights are protected, and democratic principles are upheld. I have come to vote with that aspiration,” he expressed.