Voting in the much-discussed Thakurgaon-1 by-election takes place at daybreak. Tension and a war of nerves run high at the last moment between the candidates and supporters of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, the main contenders. With each side accusing the other of breaching the electoral code of conduct, intimidating voters and over the list of polling officials, the voting atmosphere, the neutrality of the administration and overall security are now the talk of all quarters.
The Thakurgaon-1 seat was declared vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir took office as president. BNP’s candidate is Mirza Faisal Amin. Against him is Delawar Hossain, a central Jamaat-e-Islami leader who is determined to win the seat and increase his party’s strength in parliament. With both parties strongly organised in the seat, the by-election has become a prestige battle to test their political dominance and acceptance.
Amid the tension between the two parties, the local administration has put tight security in place to ensure a peaceful vote. The district returning officer has given assurance that ensuring voters can vote without hindrance is their main aim.
Ending all speculation, the voters of Thakurgaon-1 will give their verdict at the ballot box from Thursday morning. The whole area is now waiting to see who will smile in victory in this traditional stronghold: BNP’s Mirza Faisal Amin or Jamaat’s Delawar Hossain.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report