The New Nation - Internet Edition

Barisal Correspondent

Curtain has been drawn on hustings at all places in Barisal Division as other parts of the country at midnight yesterday in connection with the much awaited Monday's parliamentary elections.

Showdown of the Awami League led grand alliance and BNP led four-party alliance in Barisal city at different times marked the end of the month-long hectic election campaign across the division.

The election campaign by all political parties and independents was remarkably peaceful everywhere in the division this time. No major untoward incident was reported from any place of this region.

Female and young voters who constitute more than 60 percent of the voters in the division are likely to be dominant factor in the victory of the candidates representing the two major alliances, according to observers.

The nominees of the four-party alliance bagged 19 seats out of total 23 in the

2001 election.

This year the number of seats has been reduced to 21 due to delimitation of constituencies.

Many of the observers are of the view that the results of the polls may be somewhat different this time. The candidates of the grand alliance are seemingly ahead in ten constituencies while the four-party nominees appear to be in a comfortable position in six constituencies. Neck to neck fight is likely in five other constituencies, they say.

The verdict of the people will be finally known on the election day.People are awaiting the results anxiously with their fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, the local administration has completed all preparations for the peaceful holding of the election.

A three-tier security measures have been taken for this purpose,said Khan Sayeed Hassan,Deputy Inspector General of Police, Barisal range.

Some 28,392 members of the law enforcing agencies will be deployed at the polling centres and other places across the division to maintain law and order.

Movement of all mechanized road and water transports will be restricted on the local routes on the election day, officials said.