All polling duties assigned to women, breaking 54-year tradition

The 13th national parliamentary election will be held tomorrow, Thursday. To increase voter turnout across the 300 constituencies, the administration has taken a number of measures, with the most distinctive initiative implemented in Chandpur-4, Faridganj.

In the 1970s, following instructions from a pir in Jainpur, women of Rupsa South union in Faridganj upazila stopped going to polling centres. They have followed this practice for the last 54 years. Although a small number of women voted occasionally, the figure remained negligible. However, their participation in other social activities, markets and daily life has remained normal.

This long-standing tradition is now set to be broken through a special initiative by the district administration. A total of 20 booths have been set up at eight polling centres in the union, where 10,299 female voters will be able to cast their votes. To ensure comfort and privacy, screens have been arranged, and only female officials and staff have been appointed at all levels, from assistant presiding officers to other polling duties.

In addition, female police officers, Ansar-VDP members and a female magistrate have been deployed to maintain law and order. Candidates have also been requested, both verbally and in writing, to appoint female polling agents.

Assistant returning officer and upazila nirbahi officer Setu Kumar Barua said all preparations had been completed to ensure women can exercise their voting rights through this special initiative of the Chandpur district administration. Expressing optimism, he said women are expected to come to polling centres and cast their votes this time.