I hope everyone is well and in good health. Wishing good health and well-being to all, I am starting today’s special blog.Today’s writing is truly special to me because, after a long 17 years, Bangladesh is going to hold its 13th National Parliamentary Election. In the democratic journey of a nation, an election is not just a process; it is a significant chapter that reflects the hopes, expectations, and future of its people. And today, I will personally be a part of this historic chapter by casting my vote for the very first time in my life. The feeling is truly different and deeply emotional.This election has created a unique festive atmosphere across the country. From cities to villages, from tea stalls to social media platforms, election discussions are now at the center of attention everywhere. The level of excitement and aspiration among the people is on another level, especially after 17 long years. People feel they have regained their rights, and a fair voting environment has been ensured under the Yunus government. It can be said that today’s election has come at the cost of the sacrifices made by countless people on the 5th of August. However, leaving the past aside, let me focus on today’s environment.

In this blog, I will share everything about the election day the atmosphere, the weather, and my personal experience. Under the current Yunus government, there is a strong expectation among the people that this national election will be conducted in a peaceful, fair, and festive environment. To participate in the election, I woke up early in the morning, freshened up, took a shower, and stepped out with a beautiful dream to cast my very first vote in life. There was a different kind of excitement in my heart as I left home.As I came downstairs, I saw my younger cousin wearing photo cards of his father’s preferred party symbol around his neck. I called him over and asked how he was feeling about election day. He was extremely happy and excited you can easily understand his joy from the picture.

About 400 meters away from the polling center, party leaders and activists were standing and encouraging the general public to go and vote. It truly felt like a festive environment. Several food stalls had also been set up nearby. People were freely casting their votes for the symbol of their choice, and many were enjoying sweets offered by their preferred parties from those stalls. After 17 long years, Bangladesh was witnessing such a vibrant and celebratory election atmosphere.Anyway, I moved forward to cast my vote. Standing in front of the polling center, I took a picture. My center was Bamondi Nishipur Government Primary School, and my voter serial number was 900.

The government introduced a special facility this time: new voters those who had never voted before were allowed to cast their votes directly without standing in long lines. As a first-time voter, I truly appreciated this initiative.After casting my vote, I returned home and shared the election-day atmosphere with my family. Later, one by one, my family members went to the polling center, completed their voting, and came back home. It was truly a memorable and proud day in my life.

After returning home and finishing my meal, I stepped outside again and stood in front of our house. Shortly after, I saw several vehicles of the Bangladesh Army arrive and stop in front of the polling center.Since the Bangladesh Election Commission had instructed that no party leaders or activists were allowed to stay around the voting center this time, there were still quite a few people gathered nearby. Seeing this, the army personnel began dispersing them. I have to admit, it was quite a dramatic scene those party activists were running quickly to avoid being caught, and from a distance it almost looked like something out of a movie.As my house is very close to the polling center, I could clearly see everything happening right from in front of my home. At one point, when I was standing outside, an army member approached and said, “Do we need to tell you separately as well?” Feeling a bit nervous, I quickly went back inside, closed the door, and then went up to the rooftop to continue watching the scene from there.

From the rooftop, I saw the Bangladesh Army chasing the activists further away from the center and ensuring the area remained clear. I observed everything from above and, in a way, it was an intense yet memorable experience.Overall, it was an extraordinary day filled with excitement. The entire day carried a sense of suspense and anticipation everyone eagerly waiting to see which party would finally win the election.After the army vehicles left, the party leaders and activists gradually returned to the front of the polling center, and once again a festive atmosphere took shape around the area.I came down from the rooftop and went back into my room. Then, the three of us my siblings and I decided to capture this special memory of casting our first vote in life. We took photos of our ink-marked fingers to preserve the moment forever. The feeling of voting for the very first time was truly different and unforgettable.

The most interesting part is that the symbol we chose for our very first vote eventually formed the government. That made the experience even more exciting and meaningful for us.This was my feeling on the day of the national election in Bangladesh.

Community Witness

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