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Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Thursday said voting is progressing peacefully with no cause for concern, despite months of rumours surrounding the election.
Talking to reporters after casting his vote at the Mohammadpur Preparatory School and College centre in the capital, he said, “For the last six months, we have been hearing rumours that the election would not be held and that various incidents would occur. But today you can see for yourselves that voting is taking place smoothly. There is no problem anywhere and no apprehension.”
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The DMP Commissioner said the Chief Adviser had called for a historic election and that the voting environment so far reflects that aspiration.
“After a long 17 years, people are exercising their citizen's rights. I am also happy. I have participated in this vote,” he said.
He said a peaceful atmosphere has prevailed at polling centres since morning, with no major incidents of violence reported, and mentioned that rival political parties have expressed willingness to accept the results.
“I saw on television that both sides said they would accept the results whatever they may be. Since the voting is transparent and neutral, it is natural that everyone will accept it,” he added.
Sajjat Ali expressed the hope that voting would continue peacefully throughout the day and that results would be announced after proper counting.
Recalling his experience during the 2018 election, he said he had come to the same centre to cast his vote at that time.
“My residence was here then. As you know, I retired in 2016. Now I live at Mintoo Road as DMP Commissioner. In 2018, when I entered the centre after crossing the gate, I was told that my vote had already been cast. After hearing that, I returned from the gate,” he said.
