Gaibandha-5 by-polls today with EVMs

The Election Commission is going to hold the by-election to the Gaibandha-5 constituency today using electronic voting machines amid confusion among many voters about how to use the devices.

Many locals also expressed fears of violence during polling.

Independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad claimed he was attacked by supporters of Awami League candidate Mahmud Hasan Ripon on Monday.

"There are a lot of outsiders in the area working for the AL nominee. We were informed that they also received visitor cards for polling booths. They will no doubt influence the election," he said.

Similarly, Jatiya Party candidate HM Golam Shaheed Ranju said, "On top of the existing apprehension about EVM machines, there are thousands of hired goons working for the AL candidate. I fear they will either take control of the polling centres or prevent voters from entering the centres altogether."

"We have informed the police and the election commission officials both verbally and in written complaints," he added.

When asked, AL nominee Ripon claimed he did not know about any attack on Nishad.

He further said, "There is no scope for outsiders to enter the polling centres. So, I think the voting will be held in a peaceful manner."

This correspondent visited several areas of the constituency and a large number of voters said they did not know how EVMs worked.

Marzina Begum, 52, a resident of Dakkhin Burail village in Phulchhari  upazila, said, "I don't know anything about voting through EVMs. How would  I? I've never voted using this machine."

Jobaidur Rahman, 28, a  resident of Bogervita village in Saghata upazila, said, "The two  upazilas, Phulchhari and Saghata, that are under the Gaibandha-5  constituency are mostly made up of remote char areas. The majority of  the population here does not have any idea about EVMs. They [voters] will surely  face difficulties during voting."

According to Assistant Returning Officer Abdul Mottalib, 1,285 police personnel, 1,740 ansar members, four BGB platoons, and nine Rab mobile teams have been deployed in the area to ensure voters' safety.

A total of five candidates are vying for the parliamentary seat, which fell vacant following the death of deputy speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 23.

Voting will start at 8:00am, and continue till 4:00pm without recess at 145 polling centres in Phulchhari and Saghata upazilas.

The constituency has over three lakh voters in 17 unions.