Gofran Biswas Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

State Minister of Disaster Management and Relief Md. Mohibbur Rahman MP cast his vote standing in front of the polling station on Wednesday in Kalapara Upazila Parishad election.

He stood in line with his wife Principal Fatema Akhter Rekha, younger sister Mosammat Zakia Begum at his own polling station No. 57 Dhulasar Govt. Primary School and cast his vote on Wednesday morning.

At the time, State Minister Mohib told the journalists , 'Voting is going on in a festive atmosphere in Kalapara-Rangabali Upazila Parishad elections.

According to the instructions of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, general voters are exercising their franchise to elect public representatives with the attitude of 'I will give my vote to whom I am happy.'

He also told, we have started work on the rehabilitation of Cyclone Remal victims as per the instructions of Prime Minister. Initiatives have been taken to repair damaged houses, roads, pools, bridges, culverts, educational institutions, embankments in coordination with all ministries. As we worked together in coordination with all the ministries before the cyclone, the loss of life and damage has been reduced.'

Earlier, he came from Dhaka by private helicopter and landed at Alhaj Jalal Uddin Degree College ground established by his father at 9:30 am. After voting and visiting his father's grave, he left for Dhaka to participate in the first budget session of the Jatiya Sangsad at 11.20 am.

Meanwhile, voters are exercising their right to vote in a peaceful environment in 74 polling stations of Kalapara and 37 polling stations of Rangabali, standing in line since morning. Voter turnout in the polling stations was low in the morning but the voter turnout increased as the day progressed.

Assistant Returning Officer and Election Officer Md. Mostafa Kamal said that polling has been going on since morning in a peaceful environment under strict security of BGB, RAB, Coast Guard and Police. In addition, 15 executive magistrates and 1 judicial magistrate are conducting mobile courts in the electoral area for conducting free, fair and impartial elections.

Mostafa Kamal also said that the vote casting rate was 12.95 percent till 12 noon. He said that the presence of voters in the polling stations will increase after noon.

Till the writing of this report, no untoward incident has been reported anywhere.