A group of foreign and local observers on Sunday said vote casting is going on smoothly in the city with much enthusiasm among voters hoping that this peaceful environment will continue till the end.
“Everyone is getting access to their polling station and able to cast their ballots. All the officials are doing a great job to maintain the order and ensure that people are respected,” Canadian observer Tania Foster told reporters at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College polling centre around 10 am.
Foster said she visited five centres in the city, and so far everything she has observed to this point has demonstrated that it has been very orderly. “Voters are purely empowered and enthusiastic about being able to come and vote.”
“I’m really encouraged that things are moving along so smoothly and I’m looking forward to the rest of the day continuing to see peacefulness and excitement and the enthusiasm of Bangladeshi people that they’re able to come and cast their votes to elect their new government,” she said.
Indian observer Dr Gautom Ghosh said he has seen voting is going on here very spontaneously, people are coming and the administration has taken adequate steps. “There’s absolute peace and I feel everything is good till now.”
Asked about comparison with India during polls, he said, “We find the same thing. People are standing in the line and they’re giving their votes spontaneously.”
Dr Ghosh said there is peace when they see breach of peace in some other countries.
The observers’ team is comprised of five foreign election observers from Canada, India and Nepal, and three local observers.
Though the capital remains largely peaceful so far outside Dhaka witnessed violence and deaths.
Seven people were killed in election-related violence in Rangamati, Chattogram, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Natore and Tangail districts on Sunday.