Around 44% votes cast in Rajshahi by 11am

Voting is taking place in a festive atmosphere across different upazilas of Rajshahi. Officials concerned said that, on average, around 44 percent of votes had been cast in most centers in the district by 11:30am. Except for one or two isolated incidents, the overall situation remains peaceful.

Sharmin Sultana, presiding officer of Kutipara Government Primary School-5 center in Godagari upazila, said that nearly 44 percent of votes had been cast at her center.

According to another source from the same center, the turnout was recorded at 43.12 percent. Similar information was gathered from 15 centers across the district.

Voting has also been continuing peacefully since 7:30am in Paba and Mohanpur upazilas. Voter presence there has been described as satisfactory.

However, a clash occurred in Durgapur upazila under Rajshahi-5 constituency between supporters of the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol and an independent candidate with the “Football” symbol.

The incident took place around 8:50am in front of Nawpara Government Primary School center.

Eyewitnesses said when independent candidate Rezaul Karim arrived at the center, an argument broke out with supporters of Nazrul Islam Mondal, the candidate representing the Sheaf of Paddy symbol. The verbal altercation later turned into pushing and a brief clash. No serious injuries were reported. Police and army personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. The environment at the center is now calm.

Voting is being held in 39 constituencies across eight districts in Rajshahi division. The total number of voters in the division is 16,377,096, with 5,287 polling centers. Of these, 1,767 centers have been identified as important or vulnerable. A total of 212 candidates are contesting.

According to sources, the main competition in most constituencies is between BNP and Jamaat candidates. In several seats, rebel and independent candidates are also drawing attention.

However, many candidates from smaller parties have been unable to appoint polling agents at all centers due to organizational and financial limitations.