High turnout of women voters as polling begins in Naogaon

Voting has begun in six constituencies of the district for the 13th national parliamentary election, with a vibrant and festive atmosphere greeting voters at polling stations. Early morning cold temperatures kept the crowd small at many centers, but by midday, voter turnout increased steadily, with a noticeable surge in the number of female voters at the polling stations. Women's presence in the queues has been particularly significant, reflecting growing political engagement and empowerment.

In Naogaon, security measures are robust, with law enforcement patrolling the area to ensure a peaceful and fair voting process. Over 2,000 police personnel, along with army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces, have been deployed across the district to maintain order.  In total, 782 polling centers have been set up, with 364 centers identified as high-security areas.

Fazle Huda Babul, a candidate from the Naogaon-3 constituency, cast his vote at the Baikunthpur Government Primary School polling station in Badalgachi. Speaking after voting, Babul expressed optimism that voters would exercise their rights in a joyful and peaceful manner. "Voters have become more aware and I believe they will elect me. However, I hope the administration ensures a level playing field for all candidates," he said.

The presiding officer at Baikunthpur Government Primary School Md. Shafiul Alam confirmed that all preparations had been made for a smooth election process. "We are ready to conduct the vote in a fair and peaceful manner," he stated. District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam reassured voters that tight security measures were in place. 

"Naogaon District Police has deployed forces across all six constituencies, with additional personnel at high-risk centers. We have also installed body cameras to enhance surveillance. The safety of voters is our priority, and law enforcement is fully committed to ensuring a peaceful election," he emphasized. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer, Mohammad Saiful Islam, underscored the administration's commitment to holding a transparent and peaceful election. 

"We have made extensive preparations, including the deployment of executive magistrates and security forces, to ensure that the voting process remains free, fair, and festive. Any attempt to disrupt this atmosphere will be dealt with firmly," he stated. In addition to the police, members of the army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and BGB are actively securing the polling stations. Trained sniffer dogs have also been deployed to detect any suspicious items around the centers.

A total of 32 candidates are contesting in the six constituencies of Naogaon. Among them, 27 are representing major political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Jatiya Party, while 5 are independent candidates.  A total of 23,29,592 voters are registered to cast their ballots across the six constituencies. Of these, 11,59,764 are male voters, 11,69,807 are female voters, and 21 are transgender individuals. With the voting process now underway, authorities and political observers are hopeful that the elections will be concluded peacefully, reflecting the will of the people in Naogaon.