The results of recent by-polls show that ensuring a good voter turnout will be the biggest challenge for the candidates as the Dhaka-17 by-polls get underway on Monday.
The Election Commission (EC) has taken all-out preparations to hold the polls in a free, fair and credible manner, using ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVM) as a trial run for the national election.
The EC has installed CCTV cameras in all the centres to monitor the voting from its headquarters. Striking forces have been deployed to thwart any attempts at untoward activities.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has also ramped up surveillance and assured of their readiness to ensure smooth voting.
Earlier, the EC banned the movement of motorcycles in Dhaka's Gulshan, Banani, and Cantonment areas for the by-polls. The ban will remain in force till tomorrow. Besides, the movement of buses, trucks, minibuses, microbuses, jeeps, pickups, private cars, and easy bikes will be restricted on election day.
The Ministry of Public Administration also declared it a general holiday.
Dhaka-17, consisting of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and a portion of the Dhaka Cantonment, holds the distinction of being the most affluent constituency in the capital.
All eight candidates started conducting campaigns after the declaration of the election schedules, and they began electioneering with more fervour after the distribution of symbols on June 26.
The parliamentary constituency fell vacant after the death of ruling party lawmaker and renowned actor Akbar Hossain Pathan, popularly known as Farooque.
The BNP and like-minded parties are not participating in this election, so it is believed that their voters may not go to the polling booths. However, the opposition supporters may vote for any popular contender who is likely to challenge ruling party-backed candidate Professor Mohammad A Arafat.
The other contestants are YouTuber Ashraful Hossen Alam alias Hero Alom, Major (Retd) Sikder Anisur Rahman of Jatiya Party, Kazi Md Rashedul Hassan Rashed of Zaker Party, Major (Retd) Sheikh Habibur Rahman of Trinamool BNP, Rezaul Islam Swapan of Bangladesh Congress, Mohammad Akhter Hossain of Bangladesh Sanskritik Muktijote, and Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan of Jonotar Adhikar Party.
According to EC data, recent by-polls held in Chittagong-8 and Gaibandha-5 witnessed voter turnouts of 14.54% and 38.23%, respectively. Awami League candidates won both the by-polls.
Recently concluded city polls, however, registered 50-60% turnouts.
AL's Arafat has done an all-out campaign to reach every quarter of voters in this constituency. But still, his main target is to ensure the presence of a large number of voters at the polling centres, according to his close associates working on the campaign.
Recently, in an interview, Arafat said: “When the voters see that boats are everywhere, then they think that even if I don't vote if someone else votes, the boat will pass. People used to think, there are so many voters and so the boat will certainly win. If everyone starts thinking like that, then there will be problems. So I am trying to motivate everyone. My main focus is to get boat voters to polling stations.”
Talking with the media on Sunday, DMP Deputy Commissioner (DC-Media and Public Relations) Farooq Hossain said that election materials have already been securely delivered to each voting centre.
"At this point, we do not foresee any unwanted incidents linked to the election," he said, adding that police officers will be vigilant to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
"Police officers tasked with election duties have been appointed to each voting centre," he said.
“Our DMP members on the field will prioritize voters' security. Moreover, we have arranged for a sufficient police presence to oversee the election," he added.
The EC will also hold elections in seven municipalities on Monday. The municipaities are Bhandaria in Pirojpur, Dohazari in Chittagong, Gosairhat in Shariatpur, Debidwar in Comilla, Chengarchar in Chandpur, Benapole in Jessore and Tarash in Sirajganj.
