With only six days left for the two City Corporation polls in Dhaka, mayoral and councillor candidates are exercising full force to attract the voters in their favor.
Candidates from Awami League (AL) and BNP are using their volunteers, agents and supporters and trying to get support of every potential voter for the polls on February 1.
Apart from sticking posters and distributing leaflets, they are seeking votes going door to door, markets, bus-stands, city streets, and exchanging views with different communities.
While visiting different areas in the capital including Old Dhaka, Nayabazar, Gulistan, Bangabazar, Motijheel, Paltan, Fakirapul, Manda, Mugda, Basabo and Mirpur, this correspondent found that the candidates for mayor and councilors have put up posters in various streets to catch the attention of the voters and the common people.
Besides, councilor candidates also hung their posters with different symbols in almost every lane and by lane of their respective ward areas. On the other hand, agents and supporters of mayor and councillor aspirants in the DNCC and DSCC elections passed a busy day electioneering on Saturday.
Besides, various social media are also being massively used to turn the tables in their favour in the elections.
AL nominated mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Atiqul Islam on Saturday started his campaign form Kalachandpur under Ward 18 of DNCC.
He also carried out electioneering in different areas including Shahjadpur, Bashtola, Gulshan-2 kitchen market, and Banani market from morning to evening.
Then he attended a views exchange meeting with Buddhist community of Dhaka at Badda Buddhist temple.
Terming boat as a symbol of development, Atiqul with a good number of his supports sought vote for the boat.
Besides, AL mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Saturday started his election campaign from Babubazar Bridge under Ward 36 of DSCC.
Hundreds of political leaders, activists and ordinary people were with his electioneering.
During the campaign, Taposh said, “I am the only candidate who has given the outline to build a modern Dhaka. No other candidates has done so.”
On the other hand, BNP nominated mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Tabith Awal on Saturday started his campaign from section 6 kitchen market under DNCC Ward 6 in Mirpur.
He also visited Rupnagar, 12 no bus stand, ECB chattar, Matikata, Manikdi, Aziz Market, Hazi Market under DNCC wards 6, 2 and 15.
During the campaign, Tabith said, “Various conspiracies are being hatched regarding city polls. But I will not quit.”
He said that he and his party’s central leaders and workers are going from door to door to seek votes.
“Many residents in the local areas have assured me of their support through voting of me,” he added.
Besides, BNP nominated mayoral candidate Ishraque Hossain for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Saturday urged the AL-nominated mayoral candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh not to apply his influence in the upcoming election.
He said this while addressing journalists at his election office in his residence of Gopibagh, on Saturday.
Responding to a question of reporters, Israq Hossain said, “As far as I know, he (Taposh) is a gentleman. I would urge the Awami League activists, supporters and my opponent candidates not to exercise any kind of influences in the election. If the law enforcement agencies and those in charge of management of the elections perform their duties impartially, we will accept whatever the election results. But people will not accept it if they engage in rigging.”
