Former Indian enclave people cast vote for first time

People of former Indian enclaves Nagar Jigabari, Gitaldaha, Chhoto Khanki and Boro Khanki exercised their voting right for the first time in the union parishad elections in three unions of Dimla upazila yesterday.

Elections in Khaga Kharibari, Tepa Kharibari and Gayabari unions took place about two and a half years after elections in the other seven unions of the upazila as a bench of the High Court settled a writ filed by some people of the unions over demarcation of the former enclaves.

The Election Commission suspended elections in the unions till the High Court settled the issue.

After the High Court gave the verdict in early September, Joint Secretary of the Election Commission Farhad Ahmed Khan directed the district election officer on September 20 to hold UP elections in those unions on October 21.

“I cast my vote in the election for the first time in my life and I am feeling very excited,” said Alimuddin Molla of former enclave Nagar Jigabari.

“I cast my vote in favour of the one who can raise his voice for development of the area,” said Abul Kashem of former enclave Gitaldaha.

Dimla Upazila Election Officer Mahbuba Akhtar Banu said there are 45,350 voters and 27 polling centres in the three unions.