Campaign Ends in Thakurgaon-1 By-Election, 516,138 Voters Await Polling on 29 October

All campaigning has ended in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election. There is no sound of microphones, no marches or rallies. After the election heat, Thakurgaon is now largely quiet. The constituency's representative will be decided through voting on 29 October.

All election campaigning stopped from 8 am on Tuesday (27 October). Voting is scheduled to begin at 8 am on 29 October. The Election Commission and law enforcement agencies have completed preparations to ensure a free, fair and neutral election.

The constituency, formed of Thakurgaon Sadar, Bhulli and Ruhia upazilas, has 22 unions and one municipality. It has a total of 516,138 voters, among them 257,475 men, 258,659 women and four third-gender voters.

According to the Election Commission, voting will take place in 989 booths at 185 polling centres in the constituency. Of these centres, 115 have been marked as highly important, and preparations have been made to deploy additional law enforcement members at them.

District election officer and returning officer Md Kamrul Islam said the necessary activities have been completed to make the election free, fair and neutral.

Thakurgaon superintendent of police Md Belal Hossain said no side will be given special favour and voters will be able to vote without hindrance. He believes a beautiful election can be delivered through everyone's combined effort.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains on alert to ensure voters' security and avoid any disorder in the election area. BGB Thakurgaon sector commander Colonel Md Suruj Mia said the necessary preparations have been taken so that voters can safely come to polling centres and exercise their franchise.

Although there is no scope for public rallies or microphone campaigning after the campaign period, the candidates' work has not stopped. The five rival candidates of the BNP, Jamaat and other parties and their leaders and activists are now busy with internal preparations, finalising polling agent lists for the 989 booths at 185 centres, distributing documents and giving directions on guarding centres and observing vote counting.

BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin, contesting with the sheaf of paddy symbol, promised to maintain the continuity of the area's development and said, “We are working for the rights and development of the people of Thakurgaon. The people of this region have always kept faith in the sheaf of paddy. If a free and neutral election is held, I am one hundred percent hopeful that the general public will again vote for the sheaf of paddy and give us the opportunity to serve them.”

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Delawar Hossain, promising change and transparency, said, “For a long time the people of Thakurgaon have been deprived of an honest and justice-based representative. We want to work to establish the fundamental rights and justice of the people. I hope voters will come to the centres without fear, exercise their franchise and deliver a verdict in favour of change.”

Tanvir Hasan, a voter from the Hajipara area of Thakurgaon Sadar, said, “With the sound of microphones and campaigning stopped, a quiet atmosphere has been created all around. We are now waiting to think in peace and choose a worthy candidate.” Bulbul Ahmed, a businessman from the same area, said that whoever the candidate may be, the main demand is that there is no disorder at the polling centres and that voters can safely vote for their preferred candidate and return home.