Voters showing little interest
The mayoral candidates in Khulna city have seemingly failed to generate enthusiasm among voters through their 16-day electioneering that ended yesterday.
The streets of Khulna city have been practically covered in posters and banners.
However, it is quite evident that there is little enthusiasm among the constituents.
According to voters and civil society members, the absence of a strong opponent to the ruling Awami League mayor nominee has resulted in a lack of interest.
Had the BNP participated in the polls, the picture would've been different, they said, adding that the lack of enthusiasm might result in a low voter turnout in tomorrow's city corporation election.
"There is almost no competition in the mayoral race. My vote may not have much impact. Now I'm wondering whether I should cast my vote," Didar Hossain, a resident of Sonadanga area, told The Daily Star.
The correspondents spoke to 30 voters in different areas, and they all expressed similar opinions.
Jamal Mollah, a resident of the Tutpara area, said, "We don't have many candidates to choose from. The election has become one-sided. Many, including myself, lost interest."
Also, the BNP, which has a strong voter base in the city, boycotted the polls, and the party's recent direction to its activists to refrain from casting their votes might result in low voter turnout,
Qudrat E Khuda, president of Khulna unit of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), said, "This election is merely a formality. It is being held because it's mandated by the law."
He added that people feel interested in elections that are competitive.
"Khulna city polls lack this. There is a huge difference between the Awami League nominee and others in terms of political experience and skills. Everybody has an idea as to who will likely win…"
Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman, president of the Greater Khulna Unnayan Samnnay Committee, said, "In Gazipur, it was Awami League vs Awami League. In Barishal, the Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate is standing strong against the ruling party. But in Khulna, there is a lack of such competition."
CONCERN OVER FAIR POLLS
All mayoral candidates, except the ruling Awami League's Talukder Abdul Khaleque, expressed their concerns over the fairness of the polls.
The candidates said they are concerned as to how the situation would be on election day and accused the administration of playing a biassed role.
"The polls will be held in a fair manner if the administration remains impartial. But there is a ploy to foil a fair election, and the administration and law enforcers are playing a silent role to this end," Jatiya Party nominee Shafiqiul Islam Madhu told reporters at the party office.
"Were any of the polls held under this government fair? Why did the BNP-Jamaat not take part in the polls? Because the Awami League government snatched the people's right to vote," he added.
Independent candidate Shafiqul Rahman expressed concerns about the participation of "outsiders" in the election campaign.
"If these disruptive actions continue, the election may not be free and fair," he told The Daily Star.
Nasir Uddin, a spokesperson of the Islami Anodolon Bangladesh, also expressed concerns referring to irregularities that took place in the previous KCC polls.
Zaker Party mayor nominee Sabbir Hossain said the election environment had been favourable so far, but anticipated challenges on election day.
However, Talukder Abdul Khaleque, said he was very hopeful about a fair election.
Contacted, Mohammad Alauddin, returning officer of the KCC polls, said, "A fair election will be held in Khulna which will set an example."
[Our Khulna correspondent contributed to the report]
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