DNCC, DSCC mayoral polls
Pledges galore as campaign gains momentum
Staff Reporter, Dhaka
Awami League (AL)-backed mayoral candidates have said that the forthcoming elections to two city corporationsDhaka North and Dhaka Southwill be participatory and competitive and held in a festive atmosphere. On the other hand, the BNPs mayoral candidates claimed that a level playing field for all candidates has not yet been created.
The ruling party candidates said they would turn their city areas into a planned city and would take measures to free Dhaka from traffic congestion and waterlogging. The BNP-backed mayoral candidates alleged that they could not put up their election posters in their respective areas due to obstruction of their opponents. They, however, vowed to remain in the fray till the last. They said the party decided to take part in the elections as part of its movement to free BNP chief Khaleda Zia from jail and restore the voting rights of the people.
The mayoral candidates of the two cities made these comments while campaigning in their respective areas. Speaking at a roadside rally in front of Al-Raji Hospital at Farmgate, AL mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Atiqul Islam, said if voted, he would work to build a planned city and take the initiative to free Dhaka from traffic congestion. He also carried out electioneering at Holy Cross Lane, Chapra Masjid, Tejkunipara, Lucus intersection, Railgate, Nabisco, Begunbari and Tejgaon areas. Party leaders and activists, actors-actresses, and players took part in the campaign. BNP mayoral candidate for the DNCC, Tabith Awal, termed the January 30 elections as a turning point for the party and called upon the voters to take part in the election without fear.
The January 30 election will be a turning point. I call upon all voters to take part in the election without fear, he said while talking to voters at ward 41 yesterday (Tuesday). He called upon the city dwellers to cast their votes for the sheaf of paddy, poll symbol of the BNP, to free Khaleda from prison.
If voted, he promised to fulfil the expectations of the people and take measures to give city dwellers a patient hearing. The ALs mayoral candidate for the DSCC, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, said he gave directives to his workers and activists to carry out electioneering by maintaining the electoral code of conduct. Taposh also said the poll campaign has created a mass upsurge in the city and may cause suffering to the city people to some extent.
Sounding optimistic, Taposh said the elections would be competitive and participatory as a number of political party candidates are taking part. Taposh, a former lawmaker, said he would extend all-out cooperation to the Election Commission to hold the polls peacefully and in a free and fair manner.
The BNPs mayoral candidate for the DSCC, Ishraque Hossain, alleged that his workers and supports are facing resistance while campaigning. Ruling party cadres are preventing my men to put up election posters and are tearing them off at some places. This is against the norms of free and fair elections. I did not get any redress from the EC despite repeated complaints, he added.
He also alleged that ruling party candidates are violating the electoral code of conduct, but the EC is not taking any action against them.
Returning officers of both city corporations said they are taking measures to hold the elections in a free and fair manner.
The DSCC returning officer, Abdul Baten, said they are taking the allegations of candidates seriously, and executive magistrates are looking into the matter.
The elections to the two city corporations are scheduled to be held on January 30.
