Dhaka wore an almost deserted look yesterday as thousands of people left the capital ahead of national election to be held today.

Many went to their villages to exercise their voting rights while some to spend holidays with their near and dear ones, taking advantage of a three-day holiday as Sunday was declared holiday for the election along with the two-day weekly holiday.

Very few buses, cars and rickshaws were seen plying the city streets since morning. Besides, plying of motorcycles, except for the ones used by journalists, remained restricted since December 28 midnight.

Visiting different areas of the capital, including Sadarghat, Bangshal, Gulistan, Farmgate, Motijheel, Moghbazar, Mohakhali and Gulshan, the news agency found that law enforcement agencies were checking vehicles and motorbikes for documents at various intersections.

Even buses, which usually remain overcrowded, were seen plying with very few passengers.

Tawhidul Alom, a bank official, said, “I'm going home as I've got a four-day holiday from December 28. Apart from the weekly holidays, Sunday was declared holiday for election while Monday is a bank holiday.”

Abdur Rahim, 35, who set out for Khulna at 11:30pm on Friday, said, “I couldn't cast vote in the two previous national elections for various reasons. I'm happy that I'll be able to exercise my voting right after 10 years.”

Not just him, many others also went to their respective villages, braving cold weather, to vote.

Ashish Kumar Dey, general secretary of National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways, said, “There's no statistics on how many people left Dhaka ahead of the national election but the number would be higher than the previous years.”

“More than half of voters in Dhaka city are voters from rural areas. So, they're leaving the capital to exercise their franchise,” he said.

The EC has completed its preparations to hold the general election today. Amid tight security, with the deployment of over 7 lakh security personnel across the country, the voting will be held from 8am to 4pm.