Election held peacefully in Ctg with low voter turnout

CHATTOGRAM, Feb 12: The 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election in Chattogram was held peacefully, with no significant disturbances in 16 constituencies on Thursday.
The law and order situation remained normal, and residents of the port city exercised their franchise with discipline. A similar scenario was observed in rural areas, although voter turnout was very low.
During visits to several polling centres, the FE correspondent noted a low voter presence.
When asked about the election environment, Dr Md Ziauddin, the divisional commissioner of Chattogram and also returning officer in Chattogram city, said voting began and ended on time.
"There was no unwanted incident during the election period in Chattogram. People exercised their franchise peacefully."
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chattogram and Returning Officer Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah noted that the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election was conducted in a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
"All security arrangements were made to facilitate voters, who came to the polling centres spontaneously. Law enforcement agencies, including the Bangladesh Army, Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar, Armed Police Battalion, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), performed their duties in a coordinated manner to ensure the election was completed peacefully," he stated.
Dr. Shahadat Hossain, mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), said, "This election is the outcome of the people's long struggle for democracy. After many years, we were able to exercise our voting rights in a free environment, without any oppression or intimidation."
Sources said a voter died after falling ill while standing in line to vote. The deceased is Manu Miah (65), who was a resident of Battery Street area in the port city.
The incident took place at Kazir Dewri Boys' High School Centre at around 7:55 am.
Faruk Ahmed, presiding officer of the centre, confirmed his death.
Shakil, son of the diseased, said, doctors told them he had suffered a heart attack.
Besides, a man was injured in a dispute over a symbol at a polling centre under Akbarshah Police Station. The incident occurred in front of Haji Daud Government Primary School polling station at 2:00 pm.
The victim is Mohammad Nurul Afsar aged 45, son of NurulAlam. He is a resident of Bashir Mohammad Bari in the North Kattali area of the city.
Another person was also injured in a clash between Candle symbol supporter and BNP supporters in Chittagong-13 (Anowara-Karnaphuli) constituency.
His name is Mohammed Asif (24) The clash occurred about 100 yards from the Guapanchak High School polling centre in Bairag Union under Anwara upazila at 1:00 pm.
Meanwhile, Presiding officer Faridul Alam was withdrawn for taking advance signatures from agents on the results list in the Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish-Satkania) constituency. The incident occurred at Ali Ahmed Pranhari High School in North Satkania, causing tension among those present.
However, a team of the Bangladesh Army quickly arrived at the spot. Voting was temporarily suspended following the incident. Later, Khandaker Mahmudul Hasan, the assistant returning officer, rushed to the scene and withdrew the presiding officer. Voting then resumed at around 1:30 pm.
Talking to the Financial Express, Shamim Uddin, a resident of the Anderkilla area, said most Awami League supporters did not exercise their franchise in the election, with only a few coming out to vote.
There was no movement of mechanised vehicles on the roads. Only journalists, police, and security forces were seen on the streets of Chattogram.

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