Upazila Election: Voting started today in 97 upazilas

The Dhaka Times Desk Voting for the first phase of the country's 97 upazila parishad elections has started today. All kinds of election campaigns including processions and meetings have ended a day earlier.

The army is also on the ground in the constituency. They will perform electoral duties for a total of 5 days before and after the election. Along with this, there are sufficient number of BGB, RAB, Police and Ansar forces in the field. Election materials have already reached the constituencies.

The Election Commission has already completed all preparations for the first phase of upazila elections. All types of mechanical vehicles have been stopped in 97 upazilas since Tuesday night. Voting will continue from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a general holiday has been declared in 97 upazilas to make the election peaceful.

Additional District Commissioners (ADCs) and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and Senior District Election Officers of EC will perform the duty of Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer in the election.

On the other hand, although the upazila election is a non-partisan election, the Election Commission is looking at this election with great importance as Awami League and BNP participated. The election commission has formed a monitoring cell to monitor the upazila election situation all the time. Law enforcement officials and EC officials will monitor the election from the central monitoring cell.

It should be noted that a total of 1274 candidates are contesting in 97 upazilas. Among them, 429 candidates for chairman, 505 candidates for vice chairman (male), 325 candidates for vice chairman (female). The total number of voters is 1 crore 62 lakh 15 thousand 437 people. Among them, the number of male voters is 80 lakh 61 thousand 384 people, the number of female voters is 81 lakh 54 thousand 53 people. The number of polling stations in 97 upazilas is 6 thousand 889, polling booths 42 thousand 756. A total of 6889 Presiding Officers per Polling Station. According to the Election Commission, there are 42 thousand 756 assistant presiding officers for each polling station and 86 thousand 580 polling officers.