Today is the last day for the mayoral and councillor aspirants of Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations to campaign seeking votes.
As per the election code of conduct, the candidates will have to stop campaigning 32 hours before the voting starts at 8am on Tuesday.
As the deadline got closer, candidates backed by the ruling Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, left-wing parties and socio-cultural organisations passed busy day yesterday.
Dhaka north mayoral aspirant Tabith M Awal, backed by the BNP, campaigned in slums and colonies in Uttara section 8 yesterday morning. Later in the day, he visited Malibagh, East Khilgaon, Hazipara, Moghbazar, Farmgate and Geneva Camp.
Talking to reporters, he expressed doubt whether the election could be free and fair. “The delay in deploying troops worries me,” Tabith added.
Ruling party-backed candidate for Dhaka south Sayeed Khokon carried out campaigns in wards 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the first hours of the day, and later went to wards 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 38, 39, 41 and 42.
At that time, Khokon, son of Dhaka’s first mayor Mohammad Hanif, urged the voters to give him a chance.
On the other hand, the wife of Dhaka south mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas yesterday alleged that the government wanted to invite conflicts. Afroza Abbas was talking to reporters while campaigning in Mir Hajirbagh area of Old Dhaka.
“We thought that the election will be held in a peaceful environment, and in a free and fair manner. But the ruling party activists are continuously threatening our supporters and polling agents,” Afroza claimed.
Criticising the Election Commission for preventing the BNP chairperson from using motorcade during the campaigns, she said: “The commission did not take any action when the ruling party activists attacked on Khaleda Zia during campaigns for three consecutive days. But when she started campaigning with her own security personnel, the commission has issued notice on her. Now it is proved that the EC is biased.”
Former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed accompanied her during the campaign.
“If the upcoming city polls are not held in a free and fair manner and any kind of criminal activities take place, the political condition will turn volatile again. The government and the Election Commission will be held responsible for such situation,” Prof Emajuddin said.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
