Polls held peacefully in Ctg; 56% turnout recorded

Voting in the 13th parliamentary election held in Chattogram on Thursday in what officials described as an unprecedentedly peaceful manner, with voters turning out in large numbers across the city and district’s 16 constituencies.

Polling was held for nine hours and, apart from a handful of isolated incidents, no major untoward situation was reported. According to election officials, an average of 56% of votes were cast in the constituencies. Detailed constituency-wise figures will be released later.

Minor incidents reported

A brief clash between supporters of the BNP and the Islamic Front at Chattogram-12 (Anwara) left six people injured. The incident occurred near Guapanchak High School polling centre under Bairag union in the afternoon.

Local sources alleged that supporters of a BNP candidate brought outsiders to the area, leading to the altercation with backers of the Islamic Front candidate. Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Tahmina Akhter said law enforcement personnel rushed to the scene upon receiving information and brought the situation under control.

In a separate development, a presiding officer was withdrawn in Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish) over allegations of taking advance signatures from polling agents on the results sheet at Ali Ahmed High School in Uttar Satkania. Assistant Returning Officer Khandaker Mahmudul Hasan visited the centre and announced the withdrawal of Presiding Officer Faridul Alam.

Tension was also reported in Fatikchhari constituency over a similar allegation, though voting continued without further disruption.

Security and voter turnout

Law enforcement agencies maintained a strong presence at polling centres, with approximately 40,000 members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and Ansar deployed across the district.

During visits to several centres, voters were seen arriving before polling began. Long queues were observed at a number of locations, including Residential School and College under Chattogram-10 (Khulshi–Pahartali–Halishahar).

At around 1pm, Presiding Officer Joynal Abedin said 1,529 of the centre’s 3,865 registered voters had cast their ballots, indicating a turnout of about 40% by that time. Similar scenes were reported at the Regional Public Administration Training Centre in Kazir Dewri, Bangladesh Women Association School at Wasa intersection, Yakub Ali School and College in Nayabazar, CDA Public School and College in Chandgaon, and Chattogram Government High School in Chawk Bazar.

Retired Additional Superintendent of Police Md Khorshed Alam said he had not witnessed such an extensive security deployment in previous elections. 

Voter reactions

Selina Haque, 55, arrived in a wheelchair at the Residential School and College centre to cast her vote after a gap of 35 years. “I last voted in 1991. As the environment was congenial and to encourage the youths who fought in July, I came to vote,” she said, expressing satisfaction with the law and order situation.

University student Fahmida Chowdhury, voting for the first time, said the student-led mass uprising in 2024 had paved the way for the restoration of democracy.

BNP Standing Committee member and Chattogram-11 (Bandar–Patenga) candidate Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the high turnout reflected a renewed public confidence in the democratic process. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at Uttar Kattali Munshipara Government Primary School around noon, he said, “People are casting their votes with great enthusiasm, and we can clearly sense that democracy is returning to Bangladesh.”

Death at polling centre

In a separate incident, a voter died after falling ill while waiting to cast his ballot at Kajir Dewri Boys’ School polling centre.

Monu Mia, 55, a resident of Battery Goli under Ward No. 15, collapsed in the queue around 7:30am, according to his uncle, Fazal Kabir. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Overall, election officials described the polling process in Chattogram as orderly and largely peaceful, with a significant voter turnout across the 16 constituencies.