Hectic campaigning for the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) election ended on Thursday night, leaving behind traces of high tension among rival candidates. The final voting will begin on Saturday morning. A total of 10.26 lakh voters will participate in the polling, casting their ballots at 394 polling stations in 57 wards of the city corporation area. Ajmatullha Khan, ruling party-backed mayoral candidate, is contesting with the “inkpot” and “pen” symbol, against the Opposition-backed mayoral candidate, MA Mannan, who is fighting with the “television” symbol. Both the candidates are confident of winning the election in the newly formed GCC area, stretching over 329 square km.
The Election Commission (EC) has completed all preparations for holding a free and fair election. “All necessary preparations for the election have been completed,” said Matiar Rahman, returning officer for the election.
From Friday morning, ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia will be sent to different polling stations.
Large contingents of law enforcers, including the BGB, RAB, Police Armed Battalion, Ansar and APBN members, have been deployed to maintain law and order. A group of 10 judicial magistrates will conduct summary trials, in case of any allegation of election rule violation. Besides, 19 executive magistrates will conduct mobile courts in the area during the
election.
An afternoon downpour could not dampen the spirit of the supporters of rival candidates. They brought out processions and tried to get in touch with as many voters as possible during the final hours. Two major towns –Gazipur Sadar and Tongi — were bustling with excitement as the supporters used loudspeakers and raised slogans to draw the attention of the voters.
The GCC election has become the focal point of national politics, ahead of the next general election after only a few months.
Mannan campaigned in Kaultia, Salna Purabari, Nogopara, Gazipur government Mahila college area, Joydebpur crossing, Konabari and Kashimpur, while Ajmatullah started his campaign from the Tongi Mazar area. He offered munazat at his parents’ graves and went to the Shena Kallyan Bhaban in the Tongi Bazar area.
“I’m going to win the election as the people are with me,” said Mannan, flashing the victory sign.
“The election will be conducted in a free and fair manner and the administration won’t interfere,” said Ajmatullah.
Responding to various allegations raised by opponents, the ruling party-backed candidate said: “They want to raise questions about the election by spreading rumours. But people will give them a fitting reply.”
Mannan alleged that he was under tremendous pressure from the government and the ruling party high-ups.
“I’m not happy with the Election Commission’s preparations for holding a free and fair election,” he told The Independent while campaigning at the Gazipur Government Women’s College in the afternoon. He alleged that the ruling party top brass wanted to foil the election. He also alleged that ruling party MPs and senior leaders were trying to influence the election.
Members of different law enforcement agencies, including RAB, the BGB and the police, paraded the main roads of the town in the afternoon.
Addressing a press conference in the morning, Brig.Gen.(rtd) ASM Hannan Shah, chief election coordinator of the BNP-backed candidate, said people would resist the ruling party’s attempts to rig the election. He alleged that the ruling party-backed candidate was currying favour with the local administration.
He also alleged that police officers of a certain district were deployed to work in favour of the ruling party-backed candidate.
Local leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Jomiote Olema Islam and the Hefazat-e-Islam were present at the press conference.
On the other hand, a wave of enthusiasm swept through the Ajamatullah camp after Jatiya Party chief Hossain Muhammad Ershad extended his support to the ruling party-backed candidate in the GCC election.
A central AL leader was present at Ajmatullah’s Gazipur Sadar election camp, despite the Election Commission’s directives that no outside political leader would be allowed in the area from Thursday morning.
The BNP-backed candidate’s camp, however, was a little depressed over the case of NBR tax evasion. “If the NBR case is true, our candidate will pay the overdue taxes within 45 days, as stipulated by the tax office,” said Hannan Shah.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) sources said the law enforcement agency would conduct security activities in the entire area on Saturday. Two patrol units will monitor every ward to prevent any untoward situation during the election. A striking force will also remain in reserve for any emergency.
-with The Independent input
