With the national election drawing near, election campaigns are reaching the highest pitch in five constituencies of the district.

AL leaders are desperate to retain power, while BNP candidates are trying their level best to regain lost seats.

According to the police control room on Monday, a total of 47 people, mostly BNP men, had been held in the eight upazilas of the district during.

Sources say that BNP leaders and activists are afraid of police harassment and not taking part in party campaigns across the district.

Locals told this correspondent that they would not cast their votes in case of clashes at polling centres. They also expressed their willingness to take part in free and fair polls.

A total of 55 candidates are contesting the upcoming polls from the five constituencies of this district.But the main contest is expected to take place between the AL and BNP candidates.

In the Chandpur-3 constituency (Sadar-Haimchar), AL candidate Dr Dipu Moni is going from door to door in different villages. She is also taking part in courtyard meetings in Chandpur Sadar and Haimchar upazilas. The BNP candidate, Sk Farid Ahmed Manik, is also campaigning hard in different places.

Recently, Munir Chowdhury, the BNP district joint secretary, was arrested from Biponibagh Bazar, even though there is no case against him. Besides, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Md Joynal Abedin Sheikh is also campaigning in different places to woo voters.

In Chandpur-1 (Kochua), AL candidate Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir is working to retain power as an MP. Thw BNP candidate, Mosharraf Hossain, is working quietly in that constituency. The other candidates are passive and not showing any activity.

In Chandpur 2 (Matlab ), AL candidate Nurul Amin Ruhul is conducting door-to-door campaigns with his supporters and AL leaders.

However, BNP candidate Dr Jalaluddin has alleged that he has been “kept confined to his home” at Ludhua village in Matlab Uttar since December 15. His supporters are allegedly being prevented from meeting him for talks.

Contacted, Matlab North police station officer-in-charge Kabir Hossain told this correspondent: “For his (Dr Jalal's) own safety, he has to stay at home. We have reports that Dr Jalal may be attacked by rival groups because of intra-party conflicts.”His rival, AL candidate Nurul Amin Ruhul, said the same thing.

The other candidates in Matlab do not seem to be serious about campaigning. They have not put up too many posters and banners in the constituency.

In Chandpur-4 (Faridganj), the AL candidate, Shafiqur Rahman, is working relentlessly to win the seat. Here BNP candidate MA Hanan's candidature was withheld last Monday because of a loan default. Since then, his campaigning in Faridganj has come to a halt. The other candidates are seldom seen to campaign in this area.

In Chandpur-5, AL candidate Maj. (retd) Rafiqul Islam Bir Uttam is serious about retaining his status as an MP. For this, he has been campaigning from dawn to dusk in Hajiganj and Shahrasti upazilas for several weeks. BNP candidate Mominul Huque is working in every nook and corner of these two upazilas.

Talking to this correspondent, Huque alleged that his many of his activists had been put behind bars.

Contacted, Maj. Rafique told this correspondent: “I have filed no case against any BNP man in Hajiganj or in Shahrasti.”

Other candidates of the Islamic Front, BSD, JSD and Jaker Party are also working in this constituency.