Voting underway in Dhaka-17 by-polls

The voting in the by-election to Dhaka-17 parliamentary constituency is underway. 

The voting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break.

Dhaka-17 constituency encompasses Gulshan-Banani, Bhashantek thanas and cantonment areas. 

A total of 3,25,205 people are eligible voters. Of them, the number of women voters is 1,53,580.

Eight persons are contesting the elections.

Ruling Awami League's candidate is Mohammad Ali Arafat, Shikder Anisur Rahman of Jatiya Party, Kazi Md Rashidul Hasan of Jaker Party, Sheikh Habibur Rahman of Trinomool BNP, Md Rezaul Islam Swapan of Bangladesh Congress and Md Akbar Hossain of Bangladesh Sangskritik Mukti Jote.

Independent candidates are Md Ashraful Alam (Hero Alam) and Md Tariqul Islam.

Dhaka-17 seat fell vacant since the death of actor Akbar Hossain Pathan, Member of Parliament from the constituency on May 15.

Campaigning in the constituency has been stopped on Saturday morning while the EC has banned movement of motorcycles in constituency since Saturday midnight.

A ban has also been imposed on movement of trucks, minibuses, microbuses, jeeps, pickup vans, cars and easy-bikes. But highways will remain out of the purview of the ban.