RAJSHAHI, July 30, 2018 (BSS)- Polling in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has been continuing peacefully and successfully in a festive mood since this morning everywhere in all the electioneering areas with massive turnout.
“I have seen large number of voters standing in long queue to cast their votes” said Jahangir Alam Khan, a voter in Sabitry Government Primary School center while talking to BSS there at 12.30 noon.
He said voters’ turnout was very satisfactory there as they intend to elect their favourite people who will work for their welfare.
This reporter also witnessed peaceful situation in some other centers like BB Hindu Academy, PN Girls High School, Khademul Islam Government Primary School and Tikapara Government Primary School.
“We are taking votes since the time of its beginning continuously and the cast votes might be over fifty percent”, said Suman Kumar Singha, Polling Officer at Medical College Campus High School Center, while talking to BSS around 1.30 pm.
Afroja Khatun, a polling officer at Pathanpara Government Primary School, expressed her satisfaction over the peaceful balloting atmosphere.
“Overall situation relating to the balloting is almost satisfactory. There was no report of any untoward and unpleasant incidents from any of the 138 polling centers,” said Ifte Khayer Alam, Assistant Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police.
The polling is being held in 1,020 booths under 138 centres in all 30 wards of the city corporation since 8 am and it will continue till 4 pm without any break. Around 138 presiding officers, 1,020 assistant presiding officers and 2,040 polling officers have been appointed to make balloting successful.
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is being used in two centres at BB Hindu Academy. Around 1,637 male and 1,746 female voters will cast votes through EVM for the first time here.
Syed Amirul Islam, Regional Election Officer and Returning Officer for the RCC election, told BSS that there are 3,18,138 voters including 1,62,053 female voters will exercise their right to franchise to elect one mayor, 30 general councilors and 10 women councilors in reserved seats.
A total of 217 candidates remained in the election race. Of them, five for mayor, 160 for general councilors and 52 for reserved seats for women councilors.
AHM Khairuzzaman Liton (boat), Musaddique Hossain Bulbul (paddy sheaf), Habibur Rahman (jackfruit), Shafiqul Islam (hand fan) and Advocate Murad Murshed (elephant) are contesting for mayoral post.
Islam said the EC is working in a proper coordination with local administration so that the voters can return to their respective residences safely after casting their votes.
“We are hopeful for holding the election in free, fair and peaceful manner,” he said. “Stern action will be taken against the people who are found to be involved in making the elections questionable,” he added.
Islam said none will go unpunished if he or she is found guilty in hindering the process of holding the election free and fair manner. There are adequate security measures in all centres with deployment of RAB, police, BGB and Ansar.