Early reports Monday from polling centres in Barisal, Khulna and Sylhet highlighted confusion among voters and election officials over voter serial numbers, though candidates voiced satisfaction with the election atmosphere, reports bdnews24.com.
The correspondents of the agency said the confusion occurred, as election agents were turning voters away who have brought ID cards but did not pick up voter serial numbers at the polling centres on arrival.
A Khulna city presiding officer told the news agency that there should be no such confusion, but added: "Some polling agents might not be very well trained, so such mix-ups might be arising."
The correspondent of the news agency in Khulna caught up with Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque as he cast his vote, to ask how the election was proceeding.
"Polling seems to be going very well so far," said Talukdar. "The election atmosphere is good."
Md Moniruzzaman Muni, known locally as 'the BNP candidate', was also impressed.
"The election is going very well under EPR."
When pressed further about elections being held under a state of emergency, however, Muni replied: "It is not an ideal situation. The emergency of course should be lifted."
Voting began in four city corporations and nine municipalities from 8:00 am Monday, to continue uninterrupted to 4:00 pm, in the first set of polls of the Election Commission under the present caretaker government and the ongoing state of emergency.
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda told the news agency Sunday: "I hoped good elections would be held, with voters being able to cast their ballots without any hazard in a peaceful atmosphere."
All preparations for polling were completed Sunday, with a public holiday being announced in the electoral areas and security beefed up for almost 600 polling centres in the four city corporations.
