Voting in the election in Jashore’s Benapole municipality is underway on Monday amid allegations of preventing polling agents and voters from entering the centers .
Despite voters being present at the centers since the morning, there have been complaints of harassing polling agents, and barring them from entering the centers.
Furthermore, some centers experienced a slow voting process due to the unfamiliarity with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) among voters.
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Mofizur Rahman Sajan, an independent mayor candidate of the Benapole municipal election, voiced his concerns, saying, “Some people are infiltrating from outside the municipality and spreading fear. Our polling agents have been forced out of the centers, and voters are being prevented from reaching the polling stations. Despite repeated complaints to the administration, no solution has been provided.”
Nasir Uddin, the Awami League's nominated boat candidate, dismissed Sajan's claims, saying, “Complaining is a ploy often used by independent candidates during elections. I am not concerned about any rival candidate. I am 100% confident of victory.”
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Azim Uddin Gazi, the councilor candidate of ward number 5, deemed the center unsafe and demanded increased monitoring from the administration. However, he said that polling was proceeding peacefully at the center.
Azim Uddin explained, “The voting process at some centers is slightly delayed due to the use of EVMs. The general public is not yet accustomed to this system. However, with time, everything will return to normal.”
Anwar Hossain, a voter from Dighirpar Ward number 5, shared his experience, saying, “It took me about ten minutes to cast my vote as the machine malfunctioned after pressing the button four times. If you understand the process, it is good, but if you don't, it becomes problematic.”
Md. Anisur Rahman, the Senior Election Officer of Jashore District, said, “I have visited all the centers, and voting is progressing peacefully. Two platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), three platoons of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the police have been deployed. As this is the first time we are using EVMs, the voting process is slightly slower. However, we anticipate completing 100% of the voting within the specified time.”