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Published : 12 Feb 2026, 07:58 AM
Nusaiba Islam is set to become a first-time voter just after completing college. She says she is “excited” to cast her first ballot.
Nusaiba, who completed her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) from Mirpur Cantonment College, came with her father to cast her ballot for a new government.
Asked about her expectations from this future government, she said: “Honesty.”
Her main issue in the election is reforms. She was disappointed that her father, who accompanied her to the polling centre, was unable to vote there as he is registered at his ancestral village home.
She spoke to this reporter outside the Monipur Uchcha Vidyalaya and College (Boy’s Branch) polling centre around 7:15am. A crowd had begun to gather outside from 7am.
Around 7:10am, 11 women were standing in the women’s queue. The line for the men was even longer.
They grew longer as polls got closer to opening.
At 7am, a group of Army personnel came to the main gate to request voters not to block the road.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to cast his ballot at the centre at 8:30am.
The first vote cast at the centre was in the women’s booth on the second floor. It took some time for the first ballot as no Jamaat agent was present. Eventually, the vote was cast in their absence.
The first voter was Tanzila Begum.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said, “Voting began at 7:30am. There were no reports of any disturbances anywhere. I hope that a peaceful and uninterrupted environment will be maintained until the end.”
Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar said no form of vote rigging will be tolerated in the election, adding: “Law enforcers are working carefully. We are monitoring with helicopters, drones, body cameras and CCTV cameras. Alhamdulillah, I do not foresee any problems apart from minor incidents.”
The election commissioner said law enforcers and election officials are working sincerely.
"Everyone expects a good vote—Allah willing, it will be a good election. Law enforcement and magistrates are on patrol; action is being taken against those who are acting in a way that violates the law in different districts. Anyone involved in fake votes, obstructing voters, and buying and selling votes will be caught and brought to justice. We can reshape the election culture and bring about change."
