On this day, the atmosphere in Dhaka resembled an early Eid celebration. Families filled the streets, voters reunited at polling stations, enjoyed street food from open hawkers, proudly displayed inked thumbs in selfies, and for a day took charge of the state.
The Daily Star reporters visited 286 centers in Dhaka city, where the most common descriptions were “peaceful” and “joyful,” with some reports of irregularities. Post-voting hours saw different groups holding processions in the vicinity, adding to the political ambiance of the day.
Rabiul Islam Roni, a 29-year-old electrical mechanic, was the final voter at the Bottomley Home Girls High School polling center in Dhaka-12. Despite his daily work duties, he rushed to cast his ballot just three minutes before the official voting closure, emphasizing his commitment to the democratic process.
First-time voter Afsara Rahman from Dhaka-17 expressed the significance of her vote at Banani Bidyaniketan School, stating it would have been unjust not to participate. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, a candidate in the area, voted at Gulshan Model School and College accompanied by family members.
Some voters turned the election day into a learning experience. Tasnova, a private-sector employee from Dhaka-9, brought her children to witness a peaceful voting environment, contrary to their previous perceptions of chaos and trouble associated with elections.
The vibrant atmosphere outside the polling centers in Dhaka-9 saw BNP supporters distributing biryani and arranging rickshaws for voters. However, independent candidate Tasnim Jara alleged obstruction of her polling agents in several centers, describing the actions as baseless and fabricated.
Elderly voters and women faced challenges due to the lack of elevators in most centers, with Ansar members assisting them. Despite facing obstacles, voters like Abul Kashem and a female voter from Dhaka-5 were determined to cast their votes, highlighting the importance of individual participation in the democratic process.
Various scenes unfolded across different constituencies, with voters engaging in discussions over tea at roadside stalls and enjoying jilapis after voting. Notably, senior citizens like 90-year-old Monowara Begum and individuals battling health issues like Laila Akter Lipi expressed their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to vote.
The day also witnessed early voter turnout at polling centers, with supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami demonstrating enthusiasm to cast their votes. Young voters captured moments through selfies, prompting authorities to encourage people to return home and reduce congestion.
Female police officers played a significant role in managing crowds and maintaining order, contributing to a smooth voting process. The overall environment showcased high voter participation and robust security measures, ensuring a generally peaceful voting experience.
However, tensions arose at Mirza Abbas Mohila College in Shahjahanpur, where NCP candidate Nasiruddin Patwary and BNP candidate Mirza Abbas engaged in a heated exchange during separate press briefings. The verbal sparring between the candidates added both concern and entertainment to the election season.
Patwary accused Abbas’s supporters of intimidating voters and alleged obstruction of his polling agents by BNP activists. In response, Abbas criticized Patwary for inadequate agent deployment, claiming lack of support from his followers. The political dynamics at the college center highlighted the intensity of the electoral competition.