An eco-friendly campaign
Come election time, one thing remains common among all candidates -- using posters for publicity.
These polls-time posters -- made of paper or plastic -- put up by activists and supporters can be seen everywhere -- on lampposts, walls, flyover pillars and footbridges.
Not only are these campaign materials an eyesore, they are also harmful to the environment. Even more worrisome is the task of clearing up this clutter, which eventually find their way into the drains while the laminated ones do not degrade in landfills.
Amid such circumstances, a councillor candidate for the March 29 Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls has decided to run a poster-free campaign in the city.
Awami League candidate Shailbal Das Sumon said he will campaign online and in other platforms to seek vote from residents of Jamal Khan -- his constituency (ward 21).
Sumon is also the ward's incumbent councillor, which he proudly terms a "Healthy Ward".
Mentionable, the Election Commission has banned using laminated posters during the campaign.
On Tuesday night, Sumon uploaded a video message in his Facebook where he pledged a poster-free digital campaign. The 1.02-minute clip went viral and was seen shared over a thousand times before midnight yesterday.
In the video, Sumon said he is doing this to keep his ward clean. "I pledge to you that no poster will not be used in the green Jamal khan ward…," he added.
Talking to The Daily Star, councillor Sumon said, "We always speak of saving nature but are doing little about it. That's why I decided to shun the poster culture and raise awareness among people..."
"I will campaign through voice SMS, SMS and digital contents in Facebook. Also, I would go door-to-door and hand out leaflets among voters," he said. "I believe, other candidates will also come forward in this regard," he added.
Though this newspaper did not see any poster of Sumon, banners seeking vote for him were seen in Anderkilla and Shirirgora areas.
Asked, Sumon said, "Some of my supporters did that, but I have instructed them to pull those down immediately."
The port city residents also welcomed this poster-free campaign,
Najim Muhammad, a resident of the ward, said, "This is a good initiative and would help keep our area clean."
Hamid Ullah, another inhabitant, added, "The beauty of port city is gradually fading due to such poster nuisance. His [Sumon] concept will bring a fresh change and also inspire others."
According to the EC office, now, a total number of six mayor candidates, 56 candidates in reserve seats for women and 161 councillor candidates in general wards will contest the polls.
'HEALTHY WARD'
Meanwhile, residents prided that Jamal Khan has become an example for others to follow. They said initiatives taken by the incumbent councillor has helped the ward become green and clean.
The initiatives include removing open dumpsters and setting up of roadside waste bins for dumping solid waste, beautification of road islands and medians and tree plantation.
This 0.78 sqkm ward also has a fountain at Jamal Khan intersection, which is the centre point, to welcome every passer-by. The fountain also has decorative lights, which are switched on every evening.
Besides, roadside seating arrangements for around 100 people have been made on one side of the intersection. There's also a terracotta design depicting the country's history on the boundary wall of Dr Khastagir Government Girls' High School.
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