Sunamganj-2 by-polls open amid light rain

The by-election to fill the seat of the late Suranjit Sengupta has begun in Sunamganj amid light rain.

The Sunamganj-2 by-polls began at 8 am on Thursday and will continue until 4 pm.

There was no untoward incident so far. 

The Sunamganj-2 municipality includes the Derai and Shalla Upazilas.

According to Derai Upazila election official and Assistant Returning Officer Hafizur Rahman, “Voters have been able to cast their ballots safely and securely at all polling centres since 8am. Turnout, however, has been low due to the rain.”

The Election Commission announced the Sunamganj-2 by-poll after the death of MP Suranjit Sengupta on Feb 5.

Suranjit Sengupta’s wife Jaya Sengupta is running for the seat as the Awami Leage candidate. Her competitor is independent candidate Sayed Ali Mahbub.

Jaya Sengupta has announced she will be cast her vote at Sunamganj city’s Derai Girls High School, while Sayed Ali has said he will cast his  at Sharifpur Primary School.

“The election atmosphere is fine ,” Jaya Sengupta told bdnews24.com. “We hope voters will choose the Awami League candidate, and vote for the boat to continue our development.”

“The turnout is low,” said independent candidate Sayed Ali. “But the atmosphere seems fairly good.”

The rain has led to a low turnout, said Sharifupur Primary School Presiding Officer Tapash Ranjan Ray around 9am. A total of 2,270 voters are registered at the centre, but only seven votes had been cast at the time, he said.

“We hope turnout will pick up as the day wears on,” he said.

Voting has begun peacefully, said Sunamganj Assistant Superintendent of Police Kanon Kumar Debnath. Police, RAB, BGB and Ansar Battalion forces are providing security for the polls.