Voting opens across Sylhet-1 as female voters form long lines at multiple centres

Officials report smooth voting, with several centres recording strong early turnout

Women voters have turned out in large numbers at polling stations across Sylhet as voting has got under way.

At 7:45am on Thursday, long queues of female voters formed at Shahjalal Jameya Islamia Kamil Madrasah centre in the Madina Market area of the Sylhet-1 constituency.

A similar scene played out at Pathantula High School centre, where women made up the bulk of the early crowd.

Voter Pavrin Akter said, “Voting early in the morning makes it peaceful. There are no hassles. Later in the day, standing in the sun and crowds makes it hard to vote.”

Yasmin Jannat, casting her ballot at Anand Niketan centre near Subid Bazar, added: “I come before household chores start. It’s difficult to find time later.”

Presiding Officer Md Golam Kibria said polling began at 7:30am in a calm and orderly environment. The Shahjalal Jameya Madrasah centre has 3,036 voters, including 1,745 women, across seven booths.

At the PTI Academy building centre in Subid Bazar, Presiding Officer Khairul Islam said, “All candidates’ agents are present. Within the first half hour of polling, around 50 votes were cast.”

“This centre has 2,497 voters, all women,” he added.