DHAKA, Jan 7, 2024 (BSS) - Voting in the 12th parliamentary election is being held today in the city in a festive atmosphere amid strict security measures.

Since morning, BSS correspondents have visited different polling centers of the capital and talked to the presiding officers, who said the voters' turnout was as expected.

They also said there was no incident of violence so far.

A large number of voters, including women, youth and aged persons, were seen standing in long queues to cast their votes spontaneously at different polling centers in the city.

 The BSS correspondents found peaceful voting at around 30 polling centers of different constituencies in the city.

 As part of security arrangements, members of police and Ansar were seen guarding the polling stations while the members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Army are patrolling the electoral areas as striking forces.

 Visiting the centers, including T&T High School, Ideal School and College, Dhaka University Law Faculty and Mirza Abbas Mohila Degree College, the BSS correspondents have witnessed peaceful voting everywhere.

Talking to the BSS, Presiding Officer Md Shahidul Islam of the T&T High School center said despite the huge fog, voters have been exercising their constitutional rights since morning.

 On a query, the presiding officer said all voters of the locality were coming spontaneously and fearlessly to cast their votes.
 
 An elderly voter, Rawshan Ara Begum, 67, came to the T&T High School center to cast her vote. "I voted in the national election many times. This time too, I have exercised my franchise," said Rawshan Ara with satisfaction over the environment of the voting center.

Md Faysal Ibn Isris, 28, and Md Tanjil Hossain, 28, voted at the T&T High School center and expressed their satisfaction over peaceful atmosphere of polling center.

Md Ferdous 60, a physically challenged man, who also cast his vote at the Mirza Abbas Mohila Degree College, said, "I have cast my vote. As a citizen of the country, I have to cast my vote."

Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed said voting is progressing in a peaceful manner.

"Since morning, I have visited at least five centers. I saw long queues in every center. I hoped that it will continue till 4pm," he added.  

 Long queues were also seen in other areas, including Khilgaon University College center and Habibullah Bahar University College center.