Online Desk: Awami League nominated candidate for the Dhaka-17 by-polls Mohammad A Arafat has said he is hopeful of victory after casting his vote at a polling centre in Dhaka’s Gulshan.

“There is no alternative to Awami League. People will gather at polling centres to cast their votes for boat,” Arafat said these to journalist after casting vote at Gulshan Model School and College centre at 10am. He was also optimistic that he will win the race.

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.