A festive atmosphere has taken over launch terminals as men and women of all ages travel from Dhaka to Bhola to cast their votes in the upcoming national election.
Crowded launches ploughed through the Meghna River, packed far beyond capacity, with passengers filling cabins, decks and even rooftops. As each launch reached Ilisha Launch Ghat in Bhola Sadar upazila, the pier turned lively with chants and slogans supporting different election symbols.
On Tuesday (February 10), three launches from Dhaka arrived at Ilisha Ghat between 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. Earlier in the day, five more launches docked at the ghat by noon. Each vessel carried two to three times its passenger capacity. Despite the hardship of the journey, passengers said their excitement to vote outweighed the discomfort.
Md Ala Uddin Talukder, 50, said he last voted in the 2008 national election. Due to the political situation, he could not vote again until now. “This time the country’s situation has changed. I came from Dhaka despite all difficulties to exercise my right to vote,” he said, while urging the authorities to ensure a safe voting environment.
Md Abbas, who works at a private company in Dhaka, said he returned home after many years only to vote. “I could not vote in the last two elections. This time, I came to vote for my preferred candidate,” he said.
Several young voters travelling from Dhaka said this would be their first time voting. “We faced many hardships on the way, but the joy of voting is greater,” one of them said. They requested the administration to ensure security so they can vote safely and return to Dhaka without obstacles.
Another passenger, Md Alauddin, said he lives in Dhaka with his family for work. “After a long time, I am returning home with my family to vote on February 12,” he said.
Ilisha Launch Ghat Manager Md Monir Hossain said launches from Dhaka started arriving early Tuesday morning. “Five launches arrived by 10 am. More began arriving again from 1:45 pm, and another five to seven launches are expected by 9 pm,” he said.
He added that the situation resembled Eid travel, with launches carrying two to three times their capacity. “There is a festive mood among passengers. Everyone is returning home with enthusiasm to vote,” he said.
According to the Bhola District Election Office, a total of 29 candidates are contesting in the district’s four constituencies in the 13th National Parliament election. Of them, eight are in Bhola-1, eight in Bhola-2, six in Bhola-3 and seven in Bhola-4.
Bhola has 1,692,688 voters. Among them, 879,897 are men, 812,775 are women and 16 are transgender voters.
Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman told Kaler Kantho that all preparations have been completed to hold the election peacefully. Ballot boxes and other materials have already been sent to assistant returning officers, while election equipment will reach polling centres on February 11.
He said law and order arrangements have been finalised in coordination with all security forces. A total of 24 executive and judicial magistrates have been appointed, and all law enforcement agencies are actively engaged in election duties.
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