Mismatch between ID card, voter serial numbers turns away many

A large number of voters could not cast their votes in several cities and districts as their names were not found on voter lists.
Confusion was created as their national identity card numbers and voter serial numbers did not match.
Many others returned home without casting vote as they failed to ascertain in which polling centre they should go.
Our Staff Reporter from Chittagong reports: Many voters in EPZ area yesterday said they did not get their serial numbers in voter lists. Many others returned home disappointed as they could not know which polling centre to go to cast vote.
“I cast my vote but name of my wife Ambia Begum is yet to be found. Agents of the candidates did not help us to find out the polling centre,” said Mohammad Zakir, a resident of Chittagong EPZ area.
Nazrul Islam, presiding officer of TCB Bhaban polling centre in Chittagong-10 constituency, admitted that they did not find names of a large number of voters in the voter lists though they showed their national identity cards.
Many voters alleged that the number of polling booths was inadequate. For this, queues of both male and female voters were very long.
Our Bogra Correspondent reports: A good number of voters could not cast votes at Seujgari Government Primary School centre in Bogra town as their names were not on voter lists.
Presiding Officer at the centre Abdullah Al Amin admitted that a number of voters including elderly Khandaker Emdadul Haque could not cast their votes as their names were not on the voter list.
Shaheda Begum, a resident of Ujgram village under Gabtoli upazila also made similar allegation. She said she could not cast her vote as her name was not on the voter list.
He said total number of voters in the centre was 2476 and about 1200 votes were cast by 11.15 am.
First time voter in the area Shaheb Ali came to Shahid Zia High School centre but he could not vote as somebody else cast it earlier. Presiding Officer at the centre Bazlur Rahman admitted this. The total number of voters in the centre is 2497 and 1700 votes were cast before 2 pm.
These centres are under Bogra-7 where BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is contesting.
On a visit to Jaleswaritola Pre-Cadet School in the town and some other centers, it was found that voters stood in long queue much before the voting started.
Rahima (20) of Kanath village under Sadar upazila is a fist time voter. She came to Koichor Primary School centre to cast her vote. She said, "The experience of casting the first vote in my life is unique and she would remember the feeling throughout her life. "
Government officials say more than 50 per cent votes were cast by 2 pm in most of the centres.
Our Moulvibazar Correspondent adds: Over 100 voters in Chunbhar Primary School in Kazipur area in Moulvibazar could not cast their votes as they did not find their names in voter list.
Our Correspondent from C'awabganj reports: Rabiul Islam went to cast his vote at Upa Rajarampur Government Primary School polling centre in the town. He entered the booth at 10 am but he found that some one else had already cast his vote.
As he asked, presiding officer Majidul Islam took Tk 100 from him as fees for objection and took his objection letter. He was then allowed to cast vote.
Suma, (voter no.311) a disabled voter in Pathan Para polling centre in the town claimed that the presiding officer cast her vote in favour of sheaf of paddy.
As Suma became angry and when the news spread, the presiding officer cancelled the ballot and issued her a new ballot paper. Presiding officer Sajedul Karim Siddique later admitted that it was a mistake.
At Nawabganj High School centre, Tanzila Banu, a resident of Sadar hospital road did not find her name in the voter list and she could not cast her vote.