Gopalganj Sees Alarmingly Low Voter Turnout

While the nationwide polling in Bangladesh unfolded amid a festive and enthusiastic atmosphere, several centres in Gopalganj district reported markedly low voter turnout, raising concerns among local observers.

According to BBC reports, certain polling stations in Gopalganj recorded voter numbers approaching zero in the early hours. Notably, at the Dimadanga Tungipara Government High School polling centre in the Gopalganj-3 constituency, presiding officers were present before 7:00 am, yet by 9:00 am, virtually no voters had arrived. The presence of candidate agents was also sparse, with only representatives of the Awami League’s “Boat” symbol noted at some stations.

The Gopalganj-3 constituency has a total of 2,540 registered voters at this particular centre, including 1,240 women, and the entire constituency comprises nearly 300,000 voters. Across the district’s three constituencies—Gopalganj-1, Gopalganj-2, and Gopalganj-3—the total electorate reaches approximately one million.

The district’s political landscape appears to have influenced turnout. Traditionally an Awami League stronghold, Gopalganj-3 has been the political base of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for decades, with the party winning elections here by overwhelming margins. However, due to restrictions preventing active campaigning by the Awami League this election, there is noticeable voter apathy, particularly in the early hours.

Despite a significant security presence across polling stations, low voter turnout has persisted, though officials expect numbers to gradually increase as the day progresses, particularly in the afternoon.

The table below summarises the preliminary voting situation across Gopalganj’s constituencies:

Observers note that, compared to other districts, voter engagement in Gopalganj appears unusually low, a factor that could directly influence the election outcomes. As polling continues, attention will focus on whether turnout rises in the latter half of the day, particularly given the historically high stakes in the district.