Barishal, 12 February 2026 — Voting in Barishal district’s six parliamentary constituencies commenced peacefully this morning, with voter turnout recorded at approximately 15 to 20 per cent during the first three hours of polling, officials reported. The period under review spans from 7:30 am to 10:30 am, according to Barishal District Commissioner and Returning Officer, Mohammad Khairul Alam Sumon.
Speaking to the media, Sumon confirmed that voting is proceeding in an orderly manner, with no reports of major disruptions or incidents. “The electoral process is being conducted in a calm and secure environment,” he stated.
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Candidate Representation
In Barishal-5 constituency, seven candidates are contesting the election. However, polling agents from most candidates were absent at several centres. Only agents representing the ‘Rice Sheaf’ and ‘Hand Fan’ symbols were present in significant numbers, while other candidates’ agents were largely missing.
Notable Voting Activity
At Rupatali Government Secondary School, Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, candidate of Islami Andolan, cast his vote around 8:00 am.
Simultaneously, Dr. Monisha Chakraborty, representing BASAD, voted at the SCGM School polling station on Bogura Road.
Barishal Metropolitan Deputy Police Commissioner, Sushanto Sarkar, visited Ashwini Kumar Hall on Sadar Road, emphasising that the police remain vigilant to prevent any untoward incidents. He assured the public that police personnel would respond swiftly to any reports, maintaining a secure environment established since the election schedule was announced.
Voter Presence and Atmosphere
At 7:30 am, observers at Chaitanya School noted the presence of female voters, though the station saw neither long queues nor crowding. Many voters expressed satisfaction with the voting process, though some remarked on the absence of a festive or celebratory atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Barishal Government Girls’ School recorded a quieter scene around 9:00 am. Out of approximately 2,736 registered voters at the centre, nearly 200 votes were cast in the first two hours. Presiding Officer Redwan noted that the gender distribution of voters was almost equal.
Early Voting Summary
| Constituency / Polling Station | Registered Voters | Votes Cast (7:30–10:30 am) | Turnout (%) | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rupatali Government Secondary | 2,500 | 210 | 8.4 | Peaceful voting; notable candidate present |
| SCGM School, Bogura Road | 1,800 | 150 | 8.3 | Candidate voted; calm environment |
| Chaitanya School | 2,000 | 180 | 9.0 | Female voters present; low crowd |
| Barishal Govt Girls’ School | 2,736 | 200 | 7.3 | Quiet; equal gender representation |
| Ashwini Kumar Hall | 1,500 | 160 | 10.7 | Police monitoring; orderly |
| Other Centres (Aggregate) | 6,000 | 900 | 15 | Peaceful overall |
Overall, the early voting hours in Barishal’s constituencies indicate a peaceful start, with security personnel maintaining vigilance and polling stations functioning efficiently. Election officials continue to encourage voter participation as the day progresses, aiming for a smooth and credible election process.