Manarat Dhaka International School & College – polling centre number 59 under the Dhaka 17 constituency – witnessed only two votes cast since the polling began at 8am on Sunday.
Speaking to The Business Post, the centre’s Presiding Officer Rakibul Islam said, “Voter turnout is low due to the chilly winter morning weather. I am optimistic that the number of voters will go up gradually as the day progresses.”
Meanwhile, at the second booth (women) of polling centre number 61, only one vote was cast in the first two hours of voting.
Dhaka-14 constituency
The Commerce College polling centre 1, which falls under the Dhaka-14 constituency, witnessed 94 votes until 10am. The number of voters for the centre is 2,903, so the turnout was 3.23 per cent during that period, said the centre’s presiding officer AFM Ashique Rahman.
Meanwhile, the polling centre 2 witnessed 39 votes until 10am. The total number of voters for the centre is 2,712, and the turnout was only 1.43 per cent for that period, said Presiding Officer Ziauddin Tanvir.
Polling centre 3 saw 42 votes until 10am, and the number of voters for this centre is 1,716. The turnout was 2.44 per cent, said Presiding Officer Bidyut Kumar Ghosh. The overall presence of voters in the constituency was low during the morning.
At the Islami Adarsha Uchcha Bidyalay centre, polling centre 4 witnessed 89 votes until 11am. The centre has a total voter count of 1,836, said Presiding Officer Kazi Sultan Mohammad Abu Noman.
Polling centre 5 has 1,811 total voters, but only 36 votes were cast until 10:30am, according to Presiding Officer Yusuf Jamil. Polling centre 6 has 2,205 voters, but 46 votes were cast until 11:30am, says Presiding Officer Md Ashukul Islam.
Polling centre 7 has 2,327 voters, but only 55 votes were cast until 10am.
Dhaka 5 constituency
Five per cent votes were cast in Dhaka-5 constituency until 10am. According to the Election Commission, there are 185 polling centres in this constituency. The data was collected from 37 centres.
Spot visits to a number of polling centres show that in the Dhalpur Community Centre, 141 out of 2,563 (5.5 per cent) votes were cast in one centre. In another centre, 190 votes were cast out of 3,400 (5.58 per cent).
Presiding Officer Shah Newaz of the centre said, “Voting is going on peacefully, and we have not seen any irregularities as yet.”
The Awami League's candidate for Dhaka-5 is Harunur Rashid (Munna), who serves as the party's Jatrabari thana unit general secretary.
Additionally, the Awami League has put forth two independent candidates, Kamrul Hasan (Eagle), the president of Dhaka South Swechchhashebok League, and Mashiur Rahman Molla (Truck), the former general secretary of Demra thana Awami League.
It should be noted that Mashiur's father Habibur Rahman Molla was previously a lawmaker in this constituency for four terms.
Dhaka 9 constituency
Under this constituency, only 5 per cent of the votes was cast at the Dipshika Pre-Cadet & High School polling centre until 10:40am. The centre has 3,439 voters, and only 170 votes were cast during the period.
The centre’s Presiding Officer Md Al Amin said, “Voting is underway peacefully. However, I have received complaints of one voter casting multiple votes. I have directed Ansar personnel to identify any culprits. We are conducting verification of photo identity.”
Dhaka 18 constituency
Although huge gathering was found outside the polling centres, a small number of voters exercised their voting right in Dhaka-18 constituency.
Presiding Officer Sirazul Islam of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Govt Secondary School told The Business Post, "Till 11am, only 4.11 per cent voters cast their votes."
Almost all polling agents were present at the centres and no untoward incidents took place so far, he said, adding that the number of voters may rise after noon.
Almost the same per cent of vote was also cast at Anwara Model College, Emarat Hosain High School, Dakkhin Khan Govt Primary School, Dakkhin Khan Girls School polling centres.
Seeking anonymity, another presiding officer of a polling centre of the constituency said, "Most of the people are the supporters of candidates."
Masud Ahmed, a campaigner of SM Mofazzal Hossain, an independent candidate, said, "We are trying to convince voters to cast vote. We are providing transport facility for the voters. Let us see what happens in next hours."
