Publicity business slower than usual

Owners and workers of printing presses and sound systems in the port city are in apprehension about the business they would be able to generate ahead of the national election, as they are unsure of a congenial election environment with participation of candidates from all political parties.

Generally, preparations of election campaigning begins several weeks ahead of the official date, as many candidates -- who are sure of getting nomination -- order posters and sound systems for their campaign in advance.

This year, the official election campaign will start from December 10 by order of Election Commission, but neither business is getting orders from candidates, with less than a week to go.

Although the national election is considered prime season for the printing business, the scenario at Anderkilla -- where around 100 of the city's 250 presses are situated -- was found to be somewhat gloomy.

Moreover, business owners are hesitant to make early investments, as they claim to have counted severe loss during the last election.

“We took a lot of preparation and invested a huge sum of money before the last national election, but faced tremendous loss. We cannot take any risk this time, as the condition prior to the election is still unpredictable,” said Md Anwar, proprietor of Al Fateh Offset Printers in Anderkilla.

Their anxiety is not baseless. Gazi Computer & Printers designed voter slips for Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, candidate of Awami League from Chattogram- 9, and M Morshed Khan, BNP candidate from Chattgram- 8. The nomination paper of M Morshed Khan was cancelled by EC on Sunday afternoon.

“Other than our press, no one received any prior order from any candidate. And now I've lost one of the orders. I sense no change in momentum in the next few days,” said Mazharul Gazi of the press.

“Every business has its peak season. Election is ours. But we don't know if it would bring anything for us. The atmosphere before a national election suggests a lot about it. Earlier, anyone who came to the printing presses before the election could feel the fervour; but it is not the same this time,” said Nurul Islam, owner of Boiltali Offset Press.

A similar condition is prevailing among traders of sound system business. Almost 50 sound and electronics stores at City College Road in the city are waiting for orders from candidates, but are yet to get any.

Normally, the demand for handheld megaphones remains high during election season. But till now, storekeepers have not got any order for those, informed Pranab Das, owner of Genuine Electronics.

“The price gets higher with demand. In the past, we sold around 350 megaphones in a week before national election whereas the regular sale was around 150 pieces per month,” said Pranab.

Besides, they haven't even stocked up on any of these products beforehand, he added.

“Taking risk is a part of doing business. But repeating same mistakes isn't smart. We still can't sense any good time ahead of us. Why would we take the risk?” said Farukul Alam Chowdhury, owner of Sajeda Electronics.

Moreover, the sound system rental business is not seeing its regular flow. In the winter, the demand for loudspeakers is increased as more wedding ceremonies and cultural programmes are held compared to other times of year. But as people are refraining from arranging programmes during election season in fear of political unrest, the business is slow, he added.