Joymonirghol is a narrow stretch of settlement bordered by rivers and forest. The Pashur River lies to its west, the Shyala River to the southeast. Beyond these waterways, there are no more villages—only the Sundarbans on three sides and, further south, the Bay of Bengal. Shaped like the beak of a bird, the area is locally known as Joymonir Thota. This is the southern edge of human habitation in Bangladesh.

At the far end of this mangrove-surrounded village on the Bay of Bengal coast, Manju Begum runs a small tea stall. On Tuesday afternoon, her shop was quiet, with no customers in sight. She was focused on her smartphone. When asked what she was watching, she smiled shyly and replied, “TikTok and Reels.” More specifically—election-related videos.

Asked about the upcoming vote, Manju Begum said she plans to cast her ballot and believes others will do the same. “People are talking about voting,” she said, calling it “the people’s choice.” However, she admitted she knew little about the referendum process.

Joymonirghol is part of Chila Union in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district, falling under the Bagerhat-3 constituency (Mongla–Rampal). Five candidates are contesting the seat. Campaign posters, banners, and offices of BNP candidate Sheikh Faridul Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mohammad Abdul Wadud Sekh are visible across both Mongla and Rampal. Local voters say the contest between the two is expected to be close, as both are seen as respectable figures.

Former BNP lawmaker from Bagerhat Sadar, MAH Selim, is running as an independent candidate in three constituencies, including Bagerhat-3. While his influence is stronger in the sadar area, locals believe he may still split votes here. Campaign announcements have also been heard for Islami Andolon candidate Sheikh Jillur Rahman.

Bagerhat-3 is an economically active constituency due to Mongla Port, the EPZ, and multiple industrial facilities. Many residents of the Sundarbans-adjacent areas depend on fishing, crab collection, and forest-based livelihoods. During the day, shops in remote villages remain largely closed, with men heading to rivers, forests, and the sea, while women travel in groups to work in the EPZ. Activity picks up in the afternoon as people return home.

Election awareness trucks operated by the district administration were seen touring Mongla ferry terminals and markets in Rampal, using music and announcements to spread voting instructions—particularly focusing on how to participate in the referendum.

Ismat Jahan Jarin, a sociology student at Khulna BL College, was waiting to cross the Mongla River by ferry. A resident of Chila Union, she said she would return home to vote. Registered as a voter in 2021, this will be her first time casting a ballot. Other members of her family also plan to vote.

Shopkeeper Liton Shikder from the northern bank of the Mongla River believes voter turnout may reach at least 70 percent. He noted that this election season has fewer posters and rallies, but candidates and their supporters are visiting homes directly. With widespread smartphone use, he said, people are staying informed about local and national political developments. In his view, the race in Bagerhat-3 has effectively become three-cornered.

Near a large government food warehouse in Joymonirghol, a group of young and middle-aged men were chatting at a roadside shop. Mohammad Hamza said he is eagerly waiting to vote for the first time. Abdul Sattar, who earns his living collecting fish and crabs from the Sundarbans, said election discussions are common whenever people gather—both among men and women.

Another local, Riyazul Khan, said he closely followed the July uprising through news and mobile videos. Aware of plans for state reforms, he said he intends to vote “yes” in the referendum.

While some voters expressed concerns over past irregularities, many said they hope no one will be able to cast votes on behalf of others this time.

At Fayla Mor in Rampal, election announcements were broadcast from an official campaign truck. Nearby, Masud Rana from Shibnagar village recalled his experience in 2018, when he returned home without voting after being pressured to stamp ballots in front of party workers. He claimed that votes were even cast in the name of his grandfather, who had died years earlier. “My grandmother was alive, but my dead grandfather voted,” he said half-jokingly.

Astain Sheikh from Chandpur village in Rampal, who operates an excavator, said the election environment feels better so far. If conditions remain fair, he plans to vote. His main demand, regardless of who wins, is a reduction in the prices of daily essentials.

Nur Alam, editor of the Mongla unit of the citizens’ platform SUJON, said that after a mass uprising and one and a half years of interim governance, people believe an elected government will bring stability. He added that many voters had previously stayed away due to one-sided elections or an inability to vote freely. This time, he said, people feel hopeful they can finally choose their preferred candidates.