The BNP and other Opposition parties have not put up candidates in this by-elections that is taking in the last year of the Awami league government.
According to Chittagong district Election Official Mohammad Khorshed Alam, polling began from 8:00am across the 90 polling stations-60 in Anwara and 30 in Patia-with a voter strength of 123,964 women and 126,293 men casting votes to elect their parliament representative.
Awami League backed Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Zabed, son of late MP Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury is challenged by Ujjal Bhaumik from Gonoforum in this by-poll.
Zabed blamed the ‘general lack of enthusiasm in by-polls’ for the low turnout, but sounded confident on victory.
Ujjal had also sounded confident of victory though complained that one of his polling agents have been thrown out of a booth in the morning.
Returning Officer of the poll Farhad Ahmmad said irregularities have been checked and the polling was peaceful. “Voters increased as day grew.”
Local businessmen Lokman Hossain blamed the lack of a strong candidate against Zabed for the poor turnout.
Two other voters Bijoy Krishna Nath and Khokan Das said the low turnout was because few women were turning up to vote.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Jabed’s father Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu, an Awami League Presidium Member and the President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Jute and Textiles Ministry, on Nov 4.
Chittagong district Police Superintendent AKM Hafiz Akter said that 4,000 policemen, coast guards and BGB personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful voting.
25 Executive Magistrate and three Judicial Magistrates were also overseeing the polls.
