Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - The presence of young, women and minority voters 
was particularly noticeable in Khulna during the voting in the 13th Jatiya 
Sangsad (JS) Election and referendum held on Thursday, although some rural 
voters were seen confused over casting "Yes" and "No" votes in the 
referendum.

Except for two or three minor isolated incidents, polling was held in a 
festive and peaceful atmosphere across the six constituencies of Khulna 
district, including the metropolitan area. 

Voters began arriving at polling centres well before voting started, and 
turnout increased steadily as the day progressed.

However, visits to a number of polling centres in Khulna-2, Khulna-3 and 
Khulna-5 constituencies revealed that apart from agents of the BNP and 
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, agents of other parties or independent candidates 
were largely absent. 

BNP and Jamaat agents claimed that voting was conducted peacefully. First-
time voters expressed excitement after casting their ballots.

Mamun, a student of the Arabic Department at Khulna Alia Madrasa and a voter 
of Khulna-2 constituency, cast his vote for the first time at Khulna 
Government City College around 8:00 am. "I'm very happy to vote for the first 
time in my life," he added.

Labani, a student of Khulna Government Women's College and a voter of Khulna-
3 constituency, also expressed great enthusiasm after casting her first-ever 
vote.

Alamgir Hossain, a resident of Mistripara in the city, said he could not vote 
during the previous government's tenure. After voting around 7.45 am, he 
said, "Voting is taking place in a very nice environment. Hopefully, a good 
result will come."

Bisakha Das, 40, a housewife and voter at Ghonar Ramkrishnapur Secondary 
School centre in Khulna-5 (Phultala-Dumuria) constituency, said she voted in 
a peaceful environment without any fear. "It feels very good to vote 
peacefully," she added.

Dipankar Mondal, principal officer of Janata Bank, said after voting that 
polling was going on in a festive atmosphere, noting a strong turnout of 
women, men and minority community voters.

Presiding Officer Apurba Kumar Das of Ghonar Ramkrishnapur Secondary School 
centre said voter turnout was good and no untoward incidents occurred. "All 
voters, including new voters, cast their votes in a festive mood," he added.

However, some rural voters faced confusion over the referendum ballot. Kakoli 
Rani, a voter at Bamandia Government Primary School centre in Kharniya Union 
under Dumuria upazila, said, "All these years, we voted on one paper 
(ballot). This time they gave two papers. I pressed without fully 
understanding the new pink paper. I don't know whether my vote was counted or 
not."

Meanwhile, a mobile court sentenced 11 people to two years of rigorous 
imprisonment each and fined them Taka 10,000 each for posing as fake polling 
agents in several centres of Koyra upazila under Khulna-6 constituency.

Koyra Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Zahidul Islam Jahangir said 
the individuals were found performing duties by introducing themselves as 
agents of the Jatiya Party (JP).
 
Upon being informed by presiding officers, an executive magistrate held a 
mobile court and, after identifying them as fake agents, handed down the 
punishment.