Dhaka, July 27 – Electioneering for the July 30 city corporation elections to Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barisal is going on in full swing amid allegations of the electoral code of conduct violation. From the very beginning of the electioneering of the three city corporations elections, the mayoral hopefuls of different political parties except for the ruling Awami League, have been alleging that the Election Commission has failed to ensure level playing field for campaigning for all aspirants.
Meanwhile, with only two days left to voting to the three cities, all the candidates including mayoral hopefuls, councillors and even candidates of general and women reserved seats have been carrying out hectic canvass for votes from early morning to midnight.
Witnesses said especially mayoral candidates from both Awami League and BNP, along with their respective supporters, were carrying out door-to-door campaigning to woo voters with a handful promises to build a modern, green and clean city, if elected.
A total of 18 mayoral candidates from different political parties are contesting for the three city corporations. But the contest will be held between Boat and Sheaf of Paddy, electoral symbols of AL and BNP respectively.
Most of the mayoral hopefuls other than ruling party candidates yesterday came up with almost same allegations that ruling party men are carrying out electioneering in favour of their party nominated candidates’ election campaigning violating the electoral code of conduct.
They also alleged that the government employees as well are joining the ruling party nominated mayoral hopefuls but the Election Commission is not taking any actions against these irregularities.
However, AL nominated mayoral candidates as usually brushed aside their allegations of violating the electoral code of conduct saying that their opponents have been spreading falsehood fearing defeat in the upcoming local body polls.
Our Barisal correspondent reports: Five out of total six mayoral candidates of Barisal City Corporation (BCC) elections claimed that the Election Commission failed to ensure level playing field in BCC election.
Role of the local election commission created questioned among these candidates. Candidates and their supporters openly expressed dissatisfaction on election commission alleged for their partial role.
One of the mayor candidate showing festoon all over the city violating BCC election rules. At some point he in his banner using the colour photo.
All the mayoral candidates have attended a meeting with election commissioner Mahbub Talukdar at election office Friday morning. After the meeting, BNP nominated mayor candidate Mojibor Rahman Sarwar said that he informed The EC that from the first supporter and workers of allegedly faced attack by the rival and police. Sarwar said that he complained this to the local election commissioner Mahbub Talukdar and EC assured him. Sarwar said it is impossible to conduct a free and free election here without enforcing the law effectively.
JP nominated candidate Iqbal Hosen Tapos said that the meeting was called here for nothing. He said here is no level playing field. IAB candidate Obayedur Rahman said he informed EC over his doubt on EVM. AL candidate Serniabat Sadik Abdullah said that we informed the EC that a nice election environment prevailing here.
Hearing the candidates EC Mahbub Talukdar said that said we are trying to hold a nice election here. After the Jumma prayers, all the candidates held campaigning all over the city.
Md. Mujibor Rahman, Returning officer of BCC poll 2018 said that we are doing our best to hold a fare and free election. We already formed a 10 member vigilance team to control the violation of election rules.
Barisal City Corporation has 123 permanent centres with 750 booths and 52 temporary booths for casting votes by 2,42,166 voters.
In Sylhet, AL mayoral candidate Badar Uddin Kamran conducted his mass contacts at Sheikh Hat Mosque area after Juma prayers, where he sought votes in favour of Nouka (Boat) in Tuesday’s polls.
On the other hand, BNP nominated mayoral candidate Ariful Haque Chowdhury did his mass contacts at Hazrat Shahjalal Mazar Mosque area after offering Juma prayers.
In Rajshahi, BNP’s mayoral candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul alleged that ninety percent election commission officials of Rajshahi are AL minded.
Like in other days both AL and BNP nominated mayoral candidates AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and Bulbul have carried out electioneering after Juma prayers in the city. However, the both the mayoral aspirants are hopeful about their victory in Monday’s polls.
Meanwhile, restrictions have been imposed on carrying firearms including the licensed ones and traffic movement here for the forthcoming election to Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC). – Staff Reporter
