Dhaka city wore an absolute deserted look on Sunday with restrictions on vehicular movement in place, as the city dwellers cast their votes in the 11th national parliamentary elections.
The day, which was a public holiday on account of the elections, also saw a halt in economic activities in the capital city.
The Election Commission (EC) had earlier declared Sunday a public holiday to ensure a smooth voting amid tight security.
Taking the advantage of a three-day holiday (weekend plus Sunday), many people left the capital city and cast their votes in their respective constituencies across the country.
Public and private offices, financial institutions, shopping malls and other businesses in the capital remained completely shut on the day.
Even some businesses, which usually remain open throughout the year, such as entertainment centres, restaurants, small businesses and roadside shops remained closed.
Only a few tea stalls were found serving customers, who had to stay outside.
"I am walking for almost a kilometre just to find a tea stall," Hanif Mia, a voter in Karwanbazar area, told the FE.
Such a deserted appearance of the city is a rare scene to him, he added.
"Even on Eid holidays, Dhaka remains much busier than it is today," he said.
The EC banned movement of motorised vehicles, except ambulance and automobiles of law enforcing agencies and the media, throughout December 30.
In such circumstances, rickshaw became the only mode of transport for the commoners for the day.
Habib Ullah, a rickshaw-puller in the city's Paltan area, said he usually avoids the southern part of the city due to severe traffic jam on weekdays.
"But today (Sunday), it took me only 15 minutes to reach here (Paltan) from Karwanbazar, thanks to no traffic congestion," he said.
Like him, many rickshaw-pullers took this opportunity to ply the city's important streets, which are otherwise off-limits to them, Habib said.
Such faster movement facilities also gave them an opportunity to earn more than other days, he said, adding that the amounts they have to pay to rickshaw owners are as high as Tk 300 a day.
He was also eager to know the election results. He said he would go home in Badda earlier to watch television channels to have an update about the election results.
However, commuters trying to get to their long-distance destinations within the capital city were in a fix, finding slow-moving three-wheelers are the only mode of transports to travel in.
Tarikul Islam Sabuj, a resident of Mirpur area, said one of his relatives died in Bangshal and he had to travel to that place by a rickshaw, which cost him more time and more money.
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