Dhaka, April 9 -- Voting for the Bogura-6 (Sadar) by-election has begun.

BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates cast their votes in their respective areas on Thursday morning. After casting their votes, both candidates expressed optimism about their victory.

The BNP's paddy sheaf candidate Rezaul Karim Badsha cast his vote at the Shibbati centre of Hasna Jahan (Bhandari) Girls High School in the city around 7:30am.

Later, he said: "Bogura-6 is the seat of the Zia family. The seat was vacated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. That is why we are 100 percent optimistic about winning."

He added, "Free, beautiful and peaceful elections are under way. There have been no obstacles so far. People can come to the centres spontaneously and cast the...