Defying the cold weather and dense morning fog, voters from all walks of life began heading towards their respective polling stations at 7.30 AM. Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - From posh metropolitan neighbourhoods to remote and hard-to-reach villages, a vibrant and festive atmosphere prevailed across Chattogram today as voters turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots in the election. 

Defying the cold weather and dense morning fog, voters from all walks of life began heading towards their respective polling stations well before the formal start of voting at 7:30am. Long queues were seen forming in front of many centres in both the city and rural areas.

A visit to several polling stations across different constituencies revealed a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere centering the much-anticipated polls. Young voters, elderly citizens and women were seen standing patiently in queues, many engaging in light conversations as they awaited their turn.

 "I had to wait about one and a half hours in the queue from 6:30am to cast my vote, and finally I was able to do it," said Habib Noor, a young voter at Purba Gatiyadanga Hangarmukh Primary School in a remote village under Satkania upazila, which falls under Chattogram-15 constituency.

Like Habib, many young voters expressed satisfaction after exercising their franchise in what they described as a peaceful and festive atmosphere.

During visits to polling centres under Chattogram-15 (Satkania-Lohagara), Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish-Satkania part) and Chattogram-13 (Patiya), polling agents of major candidates were seen inside voting rooms, while supporters and volunteers of rival contenders operated temporary camps outside in a cordial manner.

Mohammad Mohiuddin, Presiding Officer of Purba Gatiadenga Habibul Ulum Dakhil Madrasha centre, said voting began on time in a peaceful environment with the deployment of 15 members of law enforcement agencies.

"Of the total 1,831 voters in this centre, around 20 votes were cast at one booth within the first half hour," he said, adding that voting was taking slightly longer as voters had to seal two separate ballot papers - one for the parliamentary polls and another for the referendum.

At Demsha Alamgir Primary School centre, Presiding Officer Debashis Bhattachariya expressed satisfaction over the orderly situation. "Around 400 out of 3,810 votes in seven booths were cast up to 8:35am. The situation is quite good and the presence of voters, particularly female voters, is significant," he said.