Inside a high-rise lift in Mohakhali, a private sector employee told his colleagues he would travel to his village just to cast his vote, saying he was getting the chance to vote “after many years”.
One quipped: “What if you find your vote already cast?”
Nur Hossain from Rangpur, however, does not share such fears this time.
Though originally from Dimla in Nilphamari, he now lives in Rangpur city.
Asked about the situation on the ground, Nur told bdnews24.com: “I do not see much risk of political violence in Rangpur city. There is a clear election atmosphere among people.
Campaigning ends Tuesday morning, with parties racing through leaflets, loudspeakers and door to door canvassing.
Candidates themselves are touring markets, neighbourhoods and tea stalls.
MIXED REACTIONS
Interviews with 20 voters across regions show varied responses.
Some fear violence, others are relaxed.
RabiuI Awal Bijoy of Cumilla’s Debidwar said: “This election may not fully reflect democratic opinion or reforms, but it is a milestone after years of void.”
First time voter Raisa Tabassum, a Dhaka University student, admitted: “I don’t know if I’ll vote.”
Her peer Nadia Akter Mim was upbeat: “Gen Z has made a revolution. I think this vote will be different.”
Another student, Irina, added: “I hope there will be no midnight voting this time.”
In Moindo village of Brahmanbaria, evening gatherings at Tajul’s tea stall now revolve around the election.
Local Union council member Ayet Ali told bdnews24.com: “The tea stall is lively with election talk. God will, there will be no violence in our village.”
Shaher Hasan from Barishal, who works in Sylhet, said people were eager to vote after a long gap.
“I see excitement everywhere, especially in rural areas,” he said.
Still, he fears muscle power could be used in some areas.
“There are concerns BNP may resort to force in places, and the fallen Awami League may also be active.”
Chandpur’s Suman Hossain hopes for a festive vote. “After three staged elections, people finally have a chance to vote,” he said.
MINORITY CONCERNS
Political analyst Zobaida Nasreen believes anxiety outweighs excitement this time.
“I see voting both as a right and an emotional experience. But this election feels far more fearful and uncertain,” said the Dhaka University professor.
She warned that religious minorities, particularly Hindus, face intense pressure.
“Previously they were labelled Awami League voters. Now Jamaat may think they support BNP, BNP may think they support Jamaat, and if they don’t vote, they’ll still be labelled Awami supporters,” she said.
“This pressure has turned voting into a source of fear. That is not a good sign,” she added.
Among 10 Hindu voters bdnews24.com interviewed, eight declined to be named.
One said: “I’ve told my sons not to discuss the election outside. You never know what could happen.”
Puresh Halder from Mohammadpur’s Tajmahal Road said: “I want to vote after many years, but I’m worried about trouble at the centre. If things look fine that day, I’ll vote.”
ANALYSTS’ DOUBTS
More than 2,000 candidates are contesting 299 seats, including 250 independents.
Bangladesh has 127.7 million registered voters.
Security forces, including the Army, deployed Sunday and will remain until Feb 14.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said: “The army is already in the field. From Sunday they are formally on duty for seven days around the polls.”
Yet Dhaka University’s Prof Asif Mohammad Shahan said: “A major party is absent, and those contesting are not familiar faces. Public interest is low. Social media propaganda creates the impression one party will win. The level playing field is missing.”
He added: “Illegal arms are visible. Neutrality of police and other forces is questioned. If clashes erupt on Feb 12, voters may stay away.”
Political science professor Sabbir Ahmed said: “Excitement will continue until polling day. But I hear people already saying the BNP has won. This perception stems from the absence of a level playing field.”
