Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday expressed satisfaction after casting his vote, saying he is fully confident about his party’s victory in the national election.

He cast his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College centre in the capital at about 9:40am.

Talking to reporters afterwards, Tarique said people in Bangladesh have been waiting for this day for more than a decade.

He expressed the hope that the voters would exercise their franchise freely and help begin a new democratic journey for the country.

Referring to some unwanted incidents reported from different parts of the country on Wednesday night, Tarique said law enforcement agencies took strict steps to control the situation, which he found encouraging.

He urged voters and party leaders and activists to stay at the polling centres until the end of voting.

‘If people remain at the centres throughout the day and exercise their rights, Inshallah any conspiracy can be resisted,’ Tarique said.

When asked about the election outcome, Tarique said he and his party are ‘100 per cent hopeful’ of winning.

Responding to a question about his expectations, Tarique said, ‘Inshallah, I am optimistic. I am firmly optimistic. I personally and firmly believe that if the people of Bangladesh come out throughout the day and exercise their rights by casting their votes, then Inshallah it will be possible to thwart any conspiracy.’

Asked about his party’s priorities if it wins the election, the BNP chief said improving the law and order situation would be the top priority.

‘We have said before that if we win, our highest priority will be improving the country’s law and order situation so that people feel safe. The general people across the country must feel secure. That will be our main focus,’ he said.

Tarique said women constitute half of the country’s population and cannot be left behind.

‘Half of Bangladesh’s population are women. We cannot move forward by leaving them behind. In our manifesto and in our commitments regarding women’s empowerment and development, we have outlined our plans. If we are able to form the government, we will start working on these issues from the very first day, Inshallah,’ he said.

‘We hope that together we will be able to usher in a new democracy in Bangladesh, which has long been the expectation of the people,’ he added.

He expressed the hope for a beautiful and stable future with everyone together.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman cast his vote at a ground-floor booth of the polling centre.

It was for the first time he voted at the centre.

Previously, in 2001, he was a voter at Adamjee Cantonment Public School and College centre in Dhaka Cantonment.

Tarique is contesting the election with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol from Dhaka-17 constituency. He is also running from Bogura-6.

His wife Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman also cast their votes at the same centre. This is Zaima’s first time voting.

Around 9:40am, Tarique entered the polling centre along with his wife and daughter.

His chief election agent Abdus Salam and Prof Farhad Halim Donar were present at the centre to welcome him.