Re-polling in Gaibandha-5 today

The Election Commission has taken all-out preparations to hold the re-polling in Gaibandha-5 constituency today.

The Gaibandha-5 by-polls were held earlier on October 12 last year, but the EC suspended it that afternoon, citing widespread electoral irregularities.

This correspondent talked to over two dozen voters, the majority of whom expressed a lack of interest to exercise their right to vote.

"I'm not interested in casting my vote tomorrow [today]. I'm afraid I'll find trouble inside the polling centre if the electoral atmosphere isn't conducive," said Rafiqul Islam, 56, of Fulchari upazila.

"Nowadays, elections have become like a stage-managed drama. I don't want to be a part of such drama over and over again," said Khaleda Begum, 45, of Saghata upazila.

Even some candidates also confirmed that there was not much interest in the election among voters.

Jahangir Alam, candidate for Bikalpa Dhara, said, "Many voters told me that they would wait until tomorrow [today] to decide whether or not to go to the polling centres."

"They [voters] will vote if they find a congenial  atmosphere," he added.

Jatiya Party candidate Golam Shaheed Ranju said, "So far, the Election Commission and the local administration have performed their duties impartially ahead of the re-polling. So, we are trying to encourage voters to go to polling centres tomorrow [today]."

Meanwhile, Faridul Islam, returning officer of Gaibandha-5 by-polls, told journalists yesterday that all-out measures were taken to ensure that the election was held in a free and fair manner.

"We have taken steps to ensure that voters can freely get to polling centres and also return home safely," he said.

"Voting will start at 8:30am through EVM and continue till 4:30pm without interruptions. As in the previous election, all 145 polling centres will be under CCTV surveillance. Besides, sufficient law enforcers and executive magistrates will be deployed to combat irregularities and violence, if any," said Faridul.

Abdul Mottalib, assistant returning officer, said the presiding officers in the October 12 by-polls were replaced to ensure a fair election.

Speaking to journalists at the EC office in the capital's Agargaon  yesterday,  Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib Khan, said, "We will not tolerate any irregularities tomorrow [today]. Our returning officer, election officials, and law enforcement are all working together to ensure that the nation sees a fair election."

However, independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad withdrew his candidacy last week, alleging that the EC failed to identify and punish those who were involved in the electoral irregularities on October 12.

Now four candidates, including ruling Awami League's nominee Mahmudul Hasan Ripon, are in the electoral race.

Seeking anonymity, many voters and polling officials pointed fingers at the supporters of Ripon, also a former president of Bangladesh Chhatra League, for widespread irregularities in the October 12 by-elections.

The parliamentary seat of Gaibandha-5 fell vacant after the death of lawmaker and deputy speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22.