Security beefed up at Election Commission building

A three-tier security system has been set up at the Election Commission (EC) building in Dhaka centering the 12th national parliamentary election on Sunday. 

Apart from police, BGB and Ansar personnel have been deployed in front of the EC building. 

However, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal cast his vote at Habibullah Bahar College centre in Dhaka’s Shantinagar in the 12th national parliamentary election at 8:45am.

The voting started at 8am and will continue until 4pm without any break at 261,912 polling booths in 42,103 voting centres across the country.

A total of 1,970 candidates, including 1,534 from 28 political parties and 436 independents, are vying in the polls.

Of the candidates, 266 from the ruling Awami League (AL), 265 from Jatiya Party (JaPa), 135 from Trinomul BNP, 66 from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD), 122 from National People's Party (NPP), 13 from Jatiya Party (JP) and 10 from Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh are contesting in the polls.

A total of 90 female candidates, including from political parties and independents, and 79 from ethnic minority and other groups are vying in the polls.