Dhaka-17 by-election today

Bangladesh desk:  The by-election for Dhaka-17 parliamentary constituency will be held today amid allegations of intimidation by an independent candidate against his rival candidate from the ruling Awami League.

The Election Commission and Dhaka Metropolitan Police authorities said that they had made all security arrangements for holding the election free and fair.

The ministry of public administration has announced a general holiday along with restrictions on vehicular movement during the by-election in some parts of Gulshan, Banani,  Baridhara, and Cantonment areas under the Dhaka-17 constituency.

Awami League candidate Muhammad Ali Arafat is rivalled in the by-election by popular digital content maker Ashraful Hossain, known as Hero Alom, among others.

The movement of vehicles such as trucks, buses, minibuses, microbuses, jeeps, pickups, cars, and easy-bikes has been restricted in selective areas from 12:00am July 17 to 12:00am on July 18.

Also, motorbike movement has been restricted in the areas from 12:00am July 16 to July 18.

The Dhaka-17 constituency, which covers Gulshan, Banani, Cantonment, and some areas of Bhashantek and slums, including Karail and Sattala slums, at Mohakhali, fell vacant on the death of AL lawmaker Akbar Hossain Pathan, on

May 15.

Eight candidates are contesting the by-election.

Awami League candidate Arafat received the ‘boat’ symbol, and Jatiya Party candidate Sikder Anisur Rahman received the ‘plough’ symbol.

Hero Alom has been contesting with the symbol Ektara.

There are 3,25,205 voters in the constituency, and 1,50,580 of them are women. Voting will take place in 605 booths at 124 polling centres.

Election Commission secretary Jahangir Alam said that they did not feel any major challenges in the by-election as preparations had been taken to hold it in a free and fair manner.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s senior officials briefed its’ personnel and Ansar personnel on Sunday about security measures.

DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Khandaker Mahid Uddin asked the personnel to remain alert while discharging their duties.

During the campaign, a group of women and teenagers assaulted

Hero Alom at Sattala slum in the capital’s Mohakhali on July 5.

Hero Alom alleged that the attackers were ruling Awami League activists, and they chanted the ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan.