The voting in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral by-election and in 36 wards of Dhaka north and south city corporations (DSCC) has ended peacefully.
The ballot-casting started at 8am and ended at 4pm on Thursday.
The counting of votes then began immediately at all polling centres across the city.
Polling centres in the Dhaka north and south city corporations have witnessed low voter turnout for various reasons including adverse weather conditions.
Also Read- DNCC by-polls: Low voter turnout
Since the morning, Dhaka Tribune correspondents have visited several polling centres—in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, Lalmatia, Gabtoli, Mirpur, Uttara, and Gulshan areas—where low voter turnout was seen.
According to the presiding officers of different voting centres, vote casting went on peacefully without any untoward incident.
Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda said no irregularities have been reported and that voters have cast their ballots in a peaceful manner.
Also Read- CEC: Commission not responsible for low voter turnout
When asked about the low voter turnout at polling centres, the CEC said the commission cannot take responsibility for low voter turnout in the Dhaka north and south city corporation mayoral by-polls and elections.
He commented this after casting his ballot at a polling centre at IES School & College, Uttara around 10:30am on Thursday.
The ruling Awami League and Jatiya Party-nominated mayoral candidates for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) by-polls cast their ballots at separate polling centres in the Uttara and Gulshan areas of Dhaka.
Mayoral candidates
While five candidates are vying for the mayoral position, only ruling Awami League-nominated candidate Atiqul Islam was seen campaigning, and his electioneering ended on Monday.
Also Read- Home minister: Polling stations teeming with voters
The other candidates are: Shafin Ahmed from Jatiya Party, Anisur Rahman Dewan from National People's Party, Shahin Khan of the Progressive Democratic Party, and independent candidate Abdur Rahim.
Security arrangements
During the vote, 19 law enforcement personnel will remain deployed at regular polling centres, and 23 will guard risky centres. A total of 27 mobile teams and 18 striking forces—comprised of police, APBN and Ansars—have also been deployed.
A total of 27 teams from the Rapid Action Battalion and 25 Border Guards Bangladesh platoon members have also been deployed.
Also Read- Shafin Ahmed alleges vote irregularities
Vehicle restrictions
According to a Home Ministry circular, motorcycle transport will remain banned in DNCC polling areas from Tuesday midnight till Friday 6am.
Meanwhile, all vehicle traffic in the area—excluding emergency services—will remain banned for 24 hours starting Wednesday at midnight to Thursday at midnight.
