For the first time in independent Bangladesh, women voters in Rupsha South Union of Faridganj, an upazila in Chandpur district, cast their ballots in the 13th Jatiya Sangshad elections on Thursday, defying a long-standing restriction based on their strict interpretation of Islam, that discourages women from going to polling centres.

Indeed, women were seen standing in long queues from early morning to exercise their right to franchise in the national election at South Char Mandari Government Primary School polling centre.

Mahifuler Nessa, 90-year-old voter, clad in a burqa, said, "This is the first time in my life that I have voted."

Several other women in the queue echoed the same sentiment, saying they were voting for the first time.

Officials said voting was taking longer than usual, as many women were actually unfamiliar with the process, having abstained from elections for over five decades.

With two ballot papers this time, many needed assistance understanding where to stamp, how to fold the ballots and how to cast them properly.

Local people said a religious directive issued around 54 years ago by a Pir (religious leader) had discouraged women from leaving their homes or participating in voting in order to maintain religious sentiment. Since then, women in the union largely refrained from taking part in national and local government elections.

However, special counselling and encouragement from local administration, along with local representatives, motivated women to participate this time, several male voters said.

As a result, many women braved the morning fog to come to polling centres.

During a visit to the centre, it was found that all polling officials were women to ensure a comfortable environment for female voters.

Presiding Officer A Samad of Char Mandari Government Primary School said conservative women have started coming to vote, breaking previous norms.

"Due to the long queues and their unfamiliarity with the process, it is taking time for them to stamp, fold and cast their ballots," he said.

Lokman Hakim, presiding officer of nearby Gridkalindia High School centre, said the same situation was observed there, with many women voting for the first time.

Acting Chairman of Rupsha Union said women turned up at the polls due to collective motivation and encouragement. "Alhamdulillah, we are happy to see their participation," he said.

BNP candidate for Chandpur-4 (Faridganj) Harunur Rashid also expressed satisfaction over the women's participation.

Eighty-year-old resident Shafiullah of Char Mandari village said a cholera outbreak in 1969 coincided with a visit by a Pir from India's Jainpuri Darbar, who advised strict observance of maintaining veil.

Since then, women avoided voting for fear of violating the directive. "Now the ice is slowly melting," he added.

According to the Faridganj Upazila Election Office, Rupsha South Union has a population of around 37,000, with 21,696 registered voters - 10,599 women and 11,396 men.

Faridganj is one of the two upazilas in Chandpur where a number of villages are famous for aligning themselves with Saudi Arabia on the issue of celebrating Eid.