Dhaka-17 by-polls underway

Voting for the Dhaka-17 by-elections began this morning amid a thin presence of voters due to rain.

The voting started at 8:00am and will continue till 4:00pm without any break, reports our correspondent from the spot.

A total of 1,71,625 male voters and 1,53,580 female voters are expected to cast their votes at 124 polling centres.

Although eight candidates are contesting the by-polls, the main rivalry would likely be between AL-nominated candidate Mohammad A Arafat and independent candidate Ashraful Alam, popularly known as Hero Alom.

A lesser known leader of the Jatiya Party Shikder Anisur Rahman is also contesting the election.

Dhaka-17 seat fell vacant after the death of Awami League lawmaker and actor Akbar Hossain Pathan.