Dream to vote first time

Turi Bewa, 75, a resident of former enclave Bhitorkuti of Kulaghat union in Lalmonirhat Sadar, is happy as her dream to enjoy the taste of voting right is going to be fulfilled for the first time in life.

She is one of the newly listed voters in 59 former Indian enclaves in the district, who will get such opportunity in tomorrow's election in eight union parishads under the district.

Of the former enclaves, now part of Bangladesh as per exchange deal with the neighbouring country, two are in Kulaghat union under Lalmonirhat Sadar, two in Gotamari union under Hatibandha, and 55 in Jongra, Kuchlibari, Burimari, Sreerampur, Patgram, Jagatber and Bawra unions under Patgram upazila.

Of the total 10,019 people living in these former enclaves, 3850 people have been listed as voters, district election office sources said.

"Now I am trying to understand the voting system from my experienced neighbour as I will cast my vote in Monday's union parishad's election," said Turi Bewa, widow of late Ismail Hossain.

"My husband had also the dream to be a voter, but he left this world 12 years ago. I'm a widow, also an aged woman but I did not get any allowance from the government as I was not a citizen of Bangladesh. Now as a valued voter of the country, I expect government allowance after the polls," she said.

Like her, Alim Hossain, 80, of the former enclave is also preparing to cast the vote for the first time in his life. 

Hazera Bewa, 68, of former enclave Gotamari at Hatibandha upazila, said her husband died six months ago before casting any vote in life.

"But I am still alive and so, I can vote for my chosen symbol in Monday," she said.

Jahirul Islam, 16, of this former enclave, said, "I am too young to be a voter but I joined a procession in favour of a candidate and got biscuits and muri after the programme."

"I helped in providing technical training to the new voters here on vote casting," said Afsar Ali, 45, a supporter of a candidate at former enclave Banshkata of Patgram upazila.

Abdul Hamid, Awami League nominated chairman candidate of Kuchlibari union parishad in Patgram, said, he will work for developing former enclave people's life if he is elected.

Shahnewaz Parvez, BNP nominated chairman candidate of the same union, said he will provide government-allocated allowances for the elderly people, widows and other needy people in the former enclaves if he becomes chairman.

Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Haque said tight security measures including deployment of police and other law enforcement agencies will be taken in the eight unions during before, during and after the polls.