Awami League nominated candidate for the Dhaka-17 by-polls Mohammad A Arafat is optimistic of victory after casting his vote at a polling centre in Dhaka's Gulshan.

He said: "The boat will win, there is no other option....Once the boat agents and their relatives cast their votes, the boat will surge ahead. There is no alternative to the boat's victory."

Arafat said these to journalist after casting vote at Gulshan Model School and College centre at 10am.

Professor Arafat also said: "The Awami League holds significant organizational power. If you observe, you will see that in every center, there are agents of the Awami League outside. Only if they and their relatives cast their votes, the boat will effortlessly secure around 20 to 25 thousand votes." 

Mentioning that the AL along with its symbol boat is such a powerful organization, he said: "In this context, I must say that we have focused on ourselves and made sincere efforts to ensure peaceful and fair elections."

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 Akbar Hossain Pathan on May 14 this year.

BDST: 1400 HRS, JULY 17, 2023
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