Staff Reporter:

Voting for the by-elections in Dhaka-18 and Sirajganj-1 constituencies is underway. Simultaneous voting in this constituency started from 8 am on Thursday (November 12). It will continue till 4 pm. Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) voting is taking place in both the constituencies.

Earlier on Wednesday, election equipment was sent to polling stations.

Six candidates from six political parties including Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party are contesting in Dhaka-18 constituency.

The total number of registered voters in Dhaka-18 constituency comprising Uttara, Turag, Uttar Khan, Dakshin Khan, Bimanbandar and Khilkhet police stations is 5 lakh 6 thousand 17 people. Among them, the number of male voters is two lakh 96 thousand 135 and the number of female voters is two lakh 61 thousand 53.

The seat was declared vacant on July 9 after the death of the then MP Sahara Khatun. The Election Commission (EC) then announced the schedule for the by-elections on September 28.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and Awami League nominee Habib Hasan are scheduled to cast their votes at the IES center.

On the other hand, only Awami League and BNP candidates are contesting in Sirajganj-1 constituency. According to the Ministry of Public Administration, only election-related institutions are closed on the occasion of polling. All other offices are open. However, the concerned authorities have been requested to give the voters a chance to vote.

When Mohammad Nasim died on 13 June, the Jatiya Sangsad declared Sirajganj-1 seat vacant.