GAIBANDHA,  – The polling has begun in 13 union parishads (UP) of sadar upazila in the district amid tight security. The voting started at 8 am and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.

A public holiday has been announced in the upazila to enable the voters to exercise their rights of franchise. A total of 304146 voters will cast their  votes through 129 voting centres with 825 booths to elect 13 chairmen, 117 members and 39 female members (reserved) in the unions, sources said.

Law enforcers including Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are patrolling the roads and important places to maintain the law and order situation, said police super Muhammad Towhidul Islam. Mobile courts are on duty to instantly try the law violators during the polling. A magistrate is accompanying each team, district administration sources said.