Dhaka-17 By-polls: Low Voter Turnout in First Two hours

Voting for the Dhaka-17 by-elections started this morning amidst a sparse voter turnout at all polling places.

There was no line when I visited the polling places at Bhasantek Government Primary School, Paschim Bhasantek Government Primary School, Bangladesh Muktijuddha High School, Government Homeopathic Medical College, Dhaka Modern Ideal School, and Manarat Dhaka International School and College.

Out of 7,418 voters, 105 cast ballots at the four Government Homeopathic Medical College centers by 9:00 am.

Only 61 votes had been cast at the Manarat Dhaka International School and College voting center as of 9:30 am.

In the meantime, there were a lot of Awami League supporters and law enforcement officers, such Rab and BGB, in front of the voting places our correspondents visited.

AL suppoters hoped that the turnout would increase later in the day.

The by-polls of Dhaka-17 began at 8:00am and will continue till 4:00pm without any break.

The seat became vacant after the death of film actor and member of parliament Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque.