Dawn to midnight use of loudspeakers by city corporation poll campaigners has tuned into a nightmare for the SSC and equivalent examinees who will sit for their all-important examination on February 3, just two days after the election. The upcoming twin Dhaka city corporation polls are scheduled to be held on February 1 and the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations are scheduled just two days after the election on February 3.
Usually guardians try to provide a peaceful atmosphere during the last few days before such public examinations. But for the last few days, Dhaka has turned into a city of sound pollution centring the polls due to the loudspeakers used for poll campaigns of different mayoral and councillor aspirants.
This excessive use of loudspeakers is severely hampering the atmosphere needed for the candidates of the SSC examinations, considered as an important step towards the goal of life of the students. The same situation is taking place in front of the hospitals too. The candidates are not following the election rules. The Election Commission is also silent in this regard. The SSC examinees, general students, hospital authorities, patients are feeling helpless and urged the authorities concerned to look into the matter.
The candidates have already stumbled on the change in the date of the Dhaka City Corporations’ election. Despite this, they could not pay any attention to the panic of the songs and slogans played on loudspeaker all day long. During the last few days, Bangladesh Post correspondent visited various areas of the capital, talking to the examinees, parents and teachers. The election areas showed that the rules are being flouted with many using high-powered speakers and neither the Election Commission nor law enforcers took any steps.
The correspondent found that supporters of the candidates were campaigning with loudspeakers beside Mohammadpur Government High School, Mohammadpur Preparatory School, Siddheshwari Girls High School, Vikarunnisa Noon School and College, Azimpur Girls School and College.
Hossain, a SSC examinee of Residential Model School and College, said, “Loudspeakers have become a terror to us now. This loud noise is causing a serious disruption in our study but there is nothing we can do about it.” Syed Khorshed Alam, a Bank official, said his twin daughters who too are SSC examinees, can hardly concentrate to their study as campaigns using loudspeakers begin in the morning every day. We feel helpless.”
On the other hand, two examinees from Basabo area said, “We get very upset as there is very short time left to complete our exam preparations. We can do nothing but tolerate the nuisance.” A resident of Moghbazar said we have bee tolerating songs and slogans played on loudspeakers, fitted on moving vehicles, beyond the permitted hours since the campaign began on January 10.
President of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) and Supreme Court lawyer Manzil Morshed said, “As the elections are now underway, the candidates have been given some rights for campaigning. Now, with special consideration, those rights must be considered. But this too have some rules. I think the authorities concerned are not maintaining the electoral code of conduct.”
“Dhaka is now a densely populated city. Naturally, such noise is very damaging to public health. The matter should be understood by the authorities concerned. Mainly the campaign is carried out by the supporters of the particular candidate. Now that the preparation for SSC examinations is underway, all candidates should take this into consideration.
Then hopefully the noise pollution will decrease,” he added. Election Commissioner (EC) Rafiqul Islam told to Bangladesh Post, “According to the electoral code of conduct, not more than one microphone can be used during campaigns. Not only the sound polluting devices are banned, use of speakers have been limited from 2 pm to 8 pm. If someone breaks the law, the returning officer will take action on these matters.”