The roads, streets, and thoroughfares of the capital were largely empty on Wednesday as a significant number of people left the city for their respective constituencies to cast their votes in the 13th parliamentary election and referendum today.
Fewer cars, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, and buses were seen on the roads.
The number of passengers using public transport, including metro rail, dropped significantly.
Many streets, including Bijoy Sarani, Manik Mia Avenue, Satrasta intersection, Malibagh, and Moghbazar, wore a deserted look.
Earlier, the government announced public holidays for Wednesday and today.
The number of passengers was significantly lower at the Motijheel and Bangladesh Secretariat metro rail stations.
Due to this, the metro rail staff members faced reduced workloads.
Public transport operators told The Financial Express the number of passengers was lower on Wednesday compared to Tuesday.
Visiting the Gulistan area, commuters were seen facing difficulties in finding transport due to the reduced number and frequency, which was the result of lower demand and election-related restrictions.
Motorcycle movements were prohibited nationwide from February 10 midnight to February 13 midnight as part of election security measures.
Law enforcement personnel intensified patrols across the city, with checkpoints set up at key intersections, including Jatrabari, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Banani, Badda, Rampura, Kamalapur, and Shahbagh.
They stopped vehicles to conduct searches and questioned individuals at various points throughout Dhaka.
They said the measures were aimed at maintaining law and order, as well as preventing any untoward incident ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, the city dwellers who did not leave for their hometowns described Dhaka's atmosphere as unusually quiet.
They said most of the city dwellers had already left with enthusiasm to cast their votes.
"I never saw Dhaka so deserted even during major holidays like Eid and other religious festivals," Md Munaf, a resident of Malibagh, told The Financial Express.
The exodus from Dhaka continued on Wednesday, with many residents leaving by various modes of transport.
"I am going to vote for the first time. Due to the scarcity of public transport, I am travelling to my home district in Narsingdi using local transport. I want to go no matter how many hours it will take to reach there," Md Azad told The Financial Express in Gulistan.
Some passengers alleged due to the scarcity of public transport, long-haul bus operators charged them extra.
However, operators denied the allegation.
Today's election is crucial and will mark Bangladesh's transition to democratic governance.
There are a total of 42,779 polling centres across the country.
Voting will start at 7:30am and continue until 4:30pm across 299 constituencies.
The Election Commission recently cancelled voting in Sherpur-3 constituency following the death of the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
