Bangladesh Air Force Chief Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan on Thursday called upon all eligible voters to turn out in large numbers to ensure a high voter turnout in the national election.

“Everyone should vote so that we can record a high voter turnout this time,” he said after casting his ballot at the Baridhara Scholars International School and College polling centre in the capital.

Describing the day as a long-awaited one for the people of Bangladesh, the Air Force Chief said, “We wanted a free and fair election. We wanted to return to the path of democracy. Through this parliamentary election, InshaAllah, our aspirations are being fulfilled.”

Women flock to Dhaka polling centres as voting progresses

He said he had been receiving updates from across the country since morning. “Alhamdulillah, the election so far has been conducted in a manner that has even exceeded our expectations in terms of fairness.”

Appreciating the efforts of the interim government and the Election Commission in organising the polls, Hasan Mahmood Khan said many years had passed since the country witnessed such a festive atmosphere during voting. “It reminds me of the elections I saw in my childhood.”

Expressing the hope for a smooth conclusion to the voting process, he said the nation expects a credible election and that those elected through vote counting will carry forward the people’s hopes for a new Bangladesh.

He said the Air Force, alongside other branches of the armed forces, has been deployed where necessary and is working in coordination with the civil administration to ensure foolproof security.

Aerial monitoring is also being conducted in various regions, particularly in remote and hilly areas, including the Chattogram Hill Tracts, to maintain overall security during the election.

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