GAIBANDHA,  – Voting in Gobindaganj municipality elections here has begun at 9 am amid tight security measures taken by the law enforcers.

The polling will continue till 4 pm without any break as a public holiday has been announced in the municipal areas to enable the voters to exercise their rights to franchise, officials said.

A total of 29979 voters — 14674 males and 15,305 females — will cast their votes through 09 voting centres.

Deputy commissioner and also district magistrate Abdul Matin said he visited some polling centers this morning and enquired about polling atmosphere to the voters.

In reply, the voters expressed their deep satisfaction over the atmosphere in the centers as they are getting scope to exercise their rights to franchise peacefully and properly, the DC said.

Earlier, police super Muhammad Towhidul Islam briefed the law enforcers engaged in the polls on Friday and urged them to perform their election duty with utmost sincerity.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) including other law enforcers are patrolling the roads and important places of the municipality so that the voters can cast their votes without any difficulties, said Towhidul Islam.

Mobile and summary courts in the polling centers will instantly try the violators of law during the polling as a magistrate will lead each team, said additional district magistrate Sadiqul Islam.

Voters were seen going to the polling stations to cast their votes with festive mood defying the cold wave.

A total of 5 candidates are contesting for the post of mayor, 12 for 3 reserved female councilors and 37 for 9 councilors in Gobindaganj municipality elections.