Candidate Arafat hopeful of win, says no alternative to AL

Awami League candidate Mohammad A Arafat shows V sign during the polling in Dhaka-17 Parliament constituency.

Dhaka, July 17 --Awami League nominated candidate Mohammad Ali Arafat today cast his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College centre during the parliamentary by-polls to Dhaka-17 constituency this morning. 

He exercised his voting rights around at 10 am, said chief co-ordinator at the office cell of Dhaka -17 by-election, William Proloy Samadder Bappy.

Arafat told media that there is “no alternative to Awami League.” People will gather at polling centres to cast their votes for boat, he hoped.

He was also optimistic that he will win the race.

The voting started at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any recess.

In the Dhaka-17 constituency, eight candidates are running in the race to be elected a member of the parliament. The seat comprising Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and part of Dhaka Cantonment fell vacant after the death of renowned actor and freedom fighter Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque on May 14 this year.

The number of voters is 325,205 under 125 polling stations in Dhaka-17 constituency which comprises wards 15, 18, 19 and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as Dhaka cantonment area. - UNB