Chittagong witnessed an enthusiastic start to its 13th national parliamentary elections and the simultaneous referendum on Thursday morning, with early voter turnout showing remarkable engagement. Polling stations across the city opened at 7:30 a.m., and men and women arrived in roughly equal numbers during the first hour.
Observers at key constituencies, including Chittagong-9 (Kotwali) and Chittagong-10 (Double Mooring–Pahartali), noted a particularly strong participation among women in the opening hours. First-time voter Sharafuddin Ahmed, casting his ballot at the Shining Hour School centre in Lal Khan Bazaar, said, “The joy of voting for the first time is immense. I hope the election proceeds peacefully and the results are announced transparently, strengthening our democratic traditions.”
In several central locations, including West Bakalia, Dewan Bazaar, Kader Ali School and College, Dr. Khastagir Government High School, and the Chittagong Regional Administration Training Centre, female voters were prominent. Many centres had dedicated queues for women, which were occasionally longer than those for men. Housewives and working women alike fulfilled their civic duty before continuing with their daily routines or professional responsibilities.
As the day progressed, male voter presence increased, contributing to a steady rise in overall participation. Chittagong has 16 parliamentary constituencies, encompassing 6,684,230 registered voters, with 1,965 polling stations prepared for the exercise.
Chittagong Constituency Voter and Candidate Overview
| Total Constituencies | Registered Voters | Male Voters | Female Voters | Third Gender | Total Candidates | Female Candidates | Most Contested Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 6,684,230 | 3,484,839 | 3,199,722 | 69 | 115 | 4 | Chittagong-11 (11 candidates) |
A total of 115 candidates are contesting under 25 political parties or as independents. The Chittagong-15 (Lohagara–partial Satkania) seat has the fewest contestants, with only three candidates competing.
Chittagong District Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Zahidul Islam Minya confirmed that strict security measures are in place: “Nearly 40,000 law enforcement personnel have been deployed, supported by 115 judicial and executive magistrates. Special teams under each magistrate are monitoring continuously to ensure security. No complaints have been reported so far.”
Reports from various parts of the city indicate that voting is proceeding peacefully and orderly. Early statistics highlight particularly strong female participation, signalling a notable rise in civic awareness across Chittagong.