Port city polls 2020: Bid to increase voter turnout

The Election Commission is motivating residents across the port city to turn up at polling centres on the election day (March 29) to cast their votes using electronic voting machines as "EVM is more convenient and easy to use".

The regional election office of Chattogram recently launched a campaign in this regard.

Initiated in Anderkilla area, the campaign also took place in Chattogram Press Club and Kazir Dewri areas, among others. As part of it, the election officials are handing over leaflets on how to cast vote using EVM.

The leaflets also elaborates the benefit of EVM and how the machine can identify voters.

Hasanuzzaman, regional election officer of Chattogram, told The Daily Star that voters' apathy is not good for democracy.

"EVM is easy to use but many have confusion over it. That is why we have launched the campaign," the election official added.

He said the campaign aims to make people aware of "modern voting methods like EVM". It will continue till the last the day of election campaign (March 27).

This campaign also generated curiosity among electorates in the face of declining presence of voters as seen in the recently held by-polls to Chattogram.

Abu Foyez, a resident of Anderkilla, said, "I couldn't vote in last year's national election due to a scuffle in front of my polling centre. I got the leaflet, but I'm still not sure if I will vote this time," he said.

Neyaz Uddin, a grocer at Kazir Dewri, said it did not matter whether the EC is using EVM or manual methods.

"What we need is an environment where people can cast vote without intimidation or harassment."

On January 13, the EC held a by-election to Boalkhali-Chandgaon parliamentary seat where only 22.94 percent vote was cast.

Besides, there is a three-day holiday ahead of the election day, which may result in low turnout at polling centres, which also compelled the EC to launch the campaign, according to the regional election office sources.

Mentionable, BNP's mayoral candidate Shahadat Hossain recently demanded that the EC change the polls date as many people may leave the city getting a three-day weekend before the polls day.

He said the election should be held on March 31 instead of March 29.

CAMPAIGNING CONTINUES

Yesterday, Awami League mayor candidate Rezaul Karim and BNP's Shahadat Hossain campaigned in various areas of the city, seeking votes from residents.

A good number of leaders and activists of both the parties and its associate organisations were with them during the campaign, unperturbed by fears of coronavirus that have been looming over citizens in the last couple of days.

Scores of locals were also seen gathering at the campaign spots.

Mayoral and councillor aspirants launched campaigning for the polls on March 9. After the deadline ended for withdrawal of candidacy, the EC said 223 candidates -- 7 for mayor and 219 for councillor posts -- will run for the election.