Khulna: The presence of young, women, and minority voters was particularly noticeable in Khulna during the voting in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Election and referendum held on Thursday, although some rural voters were seen confused over casting “Yes” and “No” votes in the referendum.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, except for two or three minor isolated incidents, polling was held in a festive and peaceful atmosphere across the six constituencies of Khulna district, including the metropolitan area. Voters began arriving at polling centres well before voting started, and turnout increased steadily as the day progressed.
However, visits to a number of polling centres in Khulna-2, Khulna-3, and Khulna-5 constituencies revealed that apart from agents of the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, agents of other parties or independent candidates were largely absent. BNP and Jamaat agents claimed that voting was conducted peacefully. First-time voters expressed excitement after casting their ballots.
Mamun, a student of the Arabic Department at Khulna Alia Madrasa and a voter of Khulna-2 constituency, cast his vote for the first time at Khulna Government City College around 8:00 am. “I’m very happy to vote for the first time in my life,” he added. Labani, a student of Khulna Government Women’s College and a voter of Khulna-3 constituency, also expressed great enthusiasm after casting her first-ever vote.
Alamgir Hossain, a resident of Mistripara in the city, said he could not vote during the previous government’s tenure. After voting around 7.45 am, he said, “Voting is taking place in a very nice environment. Hopefully, a good result will come.” Bisakha Das, 40, a housewife and voter at Ghonar Ramkrishnapur Secondary School centre in Khulna-5 (Phultala-Dumuria) constituency, said she voted in a peaceful environment without any fear. “It feels very good to vote peacefully,” she added.
Dipankar Mondal, principal officer of Janata Bank, said after voting that polling was going on in a festive atmosphere, noting a strong turnout of women, men, and minority community voters. Presiding Officer Apurba Kumar Das of Ghonar Ramkrishnapur Secondary School centre said voter turnout was good and no untoward incidents occurred. “All voters, including new voters, cast their votes in a festive mood,” he added.
However, some rural voters faced confusion over the referendum ballot. Kakoli Rani, a voter at Bamandia Government Primary School centre in Kharniya Union under Dumuria upazila, said, “All these years, we voted on one paper (ballot). This time they gave two papers. I pressed without fully understanding the new pink paper. I don’t know whether my vote was counted or not.”
Meanwhile, a mobile court sentenced 11 people to two years of rigorous imprisonment each and fined them Taka 10,000 each for posing as fake polling agents in several centres of Koyra upazila under Khulna-6 constituency. Koyra Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Zahidul Islam Jahangir said the individuals were found performing duties by introducing themselves as agents of the Jatiya Party (JP). Upon being informed by presiding officers, an executive magistrate held a mobile court and, after identifying them as fake agents, handed down the punishment.