Campaign for the 12th national parliamentary election is set to end today (Friday) morning. A total of 28 political parties participating in the polls with 1,534 candidates while 436 will contest independently in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies.
The campaign ends at 8 am today in line with the main election law, Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, that prohibits holding any procession, meeting, rally and showdown 48 hours ahead of the voting starts and subsequent 48 hours after the voting ends. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina again reiterated her commitment to hold free, fair and neutral election in the country, hoping that the January 7 election will be a milestone in the history of country’s democracy. We Bangalis always fought for the free, fair and neutral election in the country. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s worthy daughter and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has been struggling to ensure people’s voting rights since long.
It is now clear to all that there is no interference or obstruction from the government, and Sheikh Hasina is firm on this matter. The candidates and voters believe that on January 7, the world will witness a great election in Bangladesh with the spontaneous presence of the people, where the public opinion will be victorious.
Therefore, Bangladesh looks forward to a free and fair election right now and the country will explore ways to deal with whatever challenges it might face in the post-election period. Of the total candidates vying in the election are mostly AL nominees. With the three new additions, the party now has 266 candidates running for the JS. Candidates from most parties, including Awami League (Boat), Jatiya Party (Plough), National People's Party (Mango), Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Movement (Anchor), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Torch or Moshal) and the Independents are in the election fray.
On January 7, Sunday, the general election of the 12th national parliament will be held in 299 seats. The voting will take place from 8 am to 4 pm without any break.
Candidates and voters
believe that on January 7, the world
will witness a great
election in Bangladesh
All candidates announced their election manifestos promising to work for the welfare of their respective constituencies. They were seen arranging huge processions and showdowns on the last day of campaigning.
They also met voters irrespective of age, sex, caste and creed with posters and leaflets to drum up support for them from early morning to midnight. Candidates were seen highlighting their pledges to woo the 11,97,00,000 voters nationwide amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on the last day campaign while they launched new salvoes in their war of words ahead of the polling as the electioneering are underway. Candidates were also seen making door-to-door visits, bringing out processions, holding meetings and distributing leaflets to woo voters at the last moment of the election campaign. Their posters were seen stuck on walls and trees and hanging with string almost everywhere.
Flanked by a large number of leaders and workers, the contestants are also seen meeting voters and different professional bodies seeking their support throughout the day braving fog as well as cold wave.
All the electioneering areas got a new look with numerous posters, banners and festoons.
Every nook and corner of the 299 constituencies of the country were seen pulsating with incessant campaign as the candidates and voters of the constituencies braving cold wave, were found busy almost day and night for electioneering at the last moment of the election campaign.
Besides, the candidates were seen electioneering by carrying out mass contacts, election showdowns, courtyard meetings, distribution of leaflets, loud speakers even with satirical regional dialects by distinguished vocalists and galaxy of cine stars. The party workers were drawing the attentions of the voters in the locality amid different tactics. Besides, noted celebrities were witnessed rendering different patriotic songs and newly composed election slogans and songs throughout the districts.
All the agencies concerned, including the law-enforcement ones, have already started rendering their duties properly to make the election peaceful. People imbued with the spirit of Great War of Liberation believe that they will be successful in the January 7 election and they will be victorious.
