Absence of polling agents noted in several Dhaka constituencies

Polling agents representing most candidates were absent at polling centres, except for those from BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in the Dhaka-14, 15, and 16 constituencies, despite a smooth and peaceful voting process.

The FE correspondent visited over a dozen polling centres in the city on Thursday.

However, at a polling centre located at Ahsania Mission School and College in the Dhaka-16 constituency, two polling agents from the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), which uses the bullock cart symbol, were present. After an inquiry, the assistant presiding officer relocated one of the agents to another centre at around 10:25 am.

The FE correspondent also visited more than half a dozen polling centres in the Dhaka-16 constituency and found three to four polling agents from BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, BJP, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, out of the 11 candidates contesting the seat. It is expected that one polling agent from each political party or candidate be present at each polling centre.

Despite eight candidates contesting in the Dhaka-15 constituency, the FE's correspondent visits to more than a dozen polling centres found no polling agents from most rival candidates, except for BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and AamJanata.

At four centres at Pirerbag Government Primary School in the Dhaka-15 constituency, polling agents wore identity cards displaying the symbol of a butterfly. However, when asked, they identified themselves as representatives of BNP, using the sheaf of paddy symbol. In these centres, BNP agents were also present.

A similar trend of absent agents from most candidates was observed during visits to several polling centers in the Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-14 constituencies.

In Dhaka-9, prominent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara complained that in some centres, her polling agents were not allowed to enter.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com