No candidate sitting idle
Although somewhat overshadowed by the candidates of Awami League and BNP, five other mayoral aspirants in Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls have been conducting their election campaigns in the port city at full strength.
Posters of MA Matin, the mayoral candidate nominated by Bangladesh Islami Front, were seen hanging in different areas including Chawkbazar, Bakalia, KB Aman Ali Road, Bibir Hat, Hamzarbagh, Oxygen and Muradpur areas.
Matin, who is contesting with the "candle" symbol, told The Daily Star that he has been conducting campaigns in two to three wards a day.
"I am getting a very good response from voters," he said. "I am pledging voters of addressing longstanding civic problems in the city."
"City dwellers have been facing a number of problems including waterlogging, poor sewage system and traffic congestion for years... The past mayors had pledged voters to address those but failed."
"All the canals and drains have been filled with garbage that will worsen waterlogging in the rainy season," said Matin.
"Waterlogging can be addressed in a year… all that it needs is the right intention," he said. "I urge voters to vote for me, and I promise to address the problems, if elected."
Posters of Wahed Murad, a mayoral candidate nominated by Islamic Front Bangladesh, were seen in different areas of the port city. Murad has been contesting in the polls with the electoral symbol "chair".
He has been conducting campaign urging the voters to vote for him. He conducted campaign in Bakalia yesterday.
Wahed said he would run the CCC taking suggestion from all the stakeholders irrespective of political identity for the development of the city, if voted to mayor.
"Our city has been facing many problems…we can develop the city to a modern one," Wahed told The Daily Star, adding, "The city dwellers are now annoyed with the leaders of two big political parties as they just give promises during campaign but that are not kept in the later."
"Lack of coordination between the service providing institutions is the main hindrance to the development of the city," he said, adding, "I will address the problem, if elected."
Khokan Chowdhury, an independent mayoral candidate, is vying in the polls with the symbol "elephant". He was also seen busy with campaigning since his main electoral camp was inaugurated in Agrabad on Friday. He distributed leaflets in Agrabad and adjacent areas on the first day, and has been continuing campaign at other wards.
Khokan said he would like to be a servant of city dwellers. "The chair of mayor is for providing service to city dwellers," he said. "I would not sit on this chair, rather I would put in relentless efforts to address the existing problems in the city, if elected."
Posters and banners of Jannatul Islam, nominated by Islami Andolan Bangladesh with the symbol "hand fan", were seen hanging in Halishahar, Bandar, Double Mooring and Pahartoli areas.
Jannatul has been conducting campaign every day, seeking vote from electorates pledging to take proper initiatives for development of the city.
"I would use the taxpayers' money the right way for development," he said, adding, "I would build a pollution-free modern city, if elected."
Besides, Abul Manjur, a mayoral candidate nominated by National Peoples Party, has been contesting with the symbol mango. His posters can be found in Muradpur, Bahaddarhat, Lalkhan Bazar, Wasa Intersection and GEC Intersection.
Manjur is seeking votes, pledging to build a clean and green city.
During a meeting between Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul huda and mayoral candidates on Saturday, Manjur expressed his apprehension of the polls being free and fair. He urged the CEC to set up a complaint centre in every polling centre, so that any candidate can lodge complaint and get remedy immediately over any irregularities at the polls.
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