DNCC by-polls: AL candidate Atiqul casts ballot in Uttara

He voted at a polling booth in Nawab Habibullah Model School & College around 9:10am on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after voting, Atiqul said: “Voting is your [voters'] democratic right, and I urge you all to exercise that right. With your votes, I will work to build a modern, clean, and beautiful Dhaka.

When asked about the absence of other major parties in the by-polls, Atiqul said: “I admit that the election would have been livelier, if more parties had participated in it. However, the Awami League nominated me for this by-election, and with your [voters'] votes I will further develop the capital city.”

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, another voter at the centre said: “I was able to cast my vote without  hassle. The presence of voters is lower than I expected.”

Meanwhile, a presiding officer said: “A total of 9,755 voters are set to vote in polling centres located inside the school. The number of voters is expected to rise as the day progresses. So far the voting is going on in a peaceful manner.”

The DNCC mayoral post fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017. According to the schedule declared by the Election Commission, the by-polls for the DNCC mayoral post were supposed to be held on February 26 last year.

However, a High Court bench stayed the election for six months after hearing two separate writ petitions on January 14 last year. Another High Court bench later cleared the way to hold the by-election by withdrawing the stay order.

The election in 36 new Dhaka north and south city corporation wards is also being held on Thursday.