The people of a former enclave are happy as they will exercise their right to vote for the first time in nine union parishads (UP) of the district, scheduled to be held on October 31.
District Election Officer Fazlul Karim said there are 59 former enclaves -- two in Kulaghat union under Lalmonirhat Sadar, two in Gotamari union under Hatibandha upzaila, and 55 in Jongra, Kuchlibari, Burimari, Sree Rampur, Patgram, Jagatber and Bawra unions under Patgram upazila.
Eight hundred thirty-eight people, 381 males and 457 females, were listed as voters during September.
The former enclave people will be given voter ID cards before the polls Karim said, adding that elections in the unions were not held along with the UP polls earlier this year as the voter list was not complete.
Achhiya Bewa, 70, of Bhitarkuti in Kulaghat union, said she was feeling happy as she would be casting a vote for the first time in her life in any election.
Abul Ali, 68, of Banshkata in Jongra union under Patgram upazila, said, “It is really exciting for me as I am going to cast my vote for the first time in my life.”
Mazidul Islam, 19, of Gotamari village in Gotamari union under Hatibandha upazila, said he would enjoy casting his vote. “In the past, we were treated as Indian people as we were inhabitants of Indian enclave in Bangladesh territory, but we have been enjoying the taste of freedom after the exchange of enclaves,” he said.
Azizul Islam, 48, of the same village, said candidates are knocking at their doors and asking for their votes.
Awami League nominated chairman candidate for Bawra Union Parishad Dulal Hossain Basuniya said he was by the side of the former enclave people when they were confined, and he is still communicating with them. He hoped that they would not forget him, and cast their vote for him.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party backed chairman candidate for Kulaghat union Idris Ali said he was with the former enclave people during their movement to be Bangladesh nationals. He hoped that they would cast their votes for him.
The voters will be given training on how to cast their vote before the polls, Karim said.