Dhaka, Feb. 12 -- Hasnat Abdullah, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Cumilla-4 constituency, has cast his vote and encouraged the public to exercise their franchise freely.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) leader joined the queue at Gopalnagar High School centre in Debidwar Upazila at 8am on Thursday to deliver his ballot.

Speaking after voting, Hasnat said no reports of disruptions had reached him so far. "We want to remain free from any kind of anxiety or violence."

"Voting will be festive. People will cast their ballots freely without intimidation," he added, recalling attempts in the past two days by those behind the July Uprising attacks to "disrupt" the electoral atmosphere.

In Cumilla-10, BNP candidate Mobashwer Alam Bhui...