As the next general elections are drawing closer, scenes of euphoria and festivity are seen in the Chattogram-9 constituency like other parts of the country.
Therefore, local leaders of Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Jatiya Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh and Workers Party of Bangladesh have already begun lobbying for party nomination to contest the upcoming national election in their Chattogram-9.
They are also greeting the local people and wishing them marking several occasions.
Besides, a certain section of common people, including young voters, are taking interest in electioneering of candidates, having achieved to gain the confidence that the election will be held in a peaceful, credible and competitive manner.
However, the expected level of election excitement, what should have been witnessed by this time, is still missing as all the political parties are still not there in the field with their full strength.
It seems they are conserving energy to use that at the last moment.
About four ruling AL leaders are scrambling for the party ticket to run for the Chattogram-9 constituency in the next general election that would be held in the first week of January 2024.
On the other hand, although BNP is yet to make a decision to join the next parliamentary elections, many BNP leaders are silently taking preparations for the polls.
The BNP leaders and workers are contacting about the elections and looking for a way to participate in the elections.
The race for nomination has garnered significant hype as the aspirants believe if they get party ticket they will win the polls.
Only those who can prove their worth for this competitive election will be nominated.
Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury of Awami League has been representing in the National Parliament since 2018.
The constituency encompasses Chittagong City Corporation wards 15 through 23 and 31through 35.
The constituency was created for the first general elections in newly independent Bangladesh, held in 1973.
Ahead of the 2008 general election, the Election Commission redrew constituency boundaries to reflect population changes revealed by the 2001 Bangladesh census.
The 2008 reapportionment added one seat to Chattogram city and altered the boundaries of the three other seats in the city, including this one.
Ahead of the 2014 general election, the Election Commission renumbered the seat for Sandwip Upazila from Chittagong-16 to Chittagong-3, bumping up by one the suffix of the former constituency of that name and the higher numbered constituencies in the district.
Thus Chattogram-9 covers the area previously covered by Chittagong-8.
Previously Chattogram-9 encompassed Chittagong City Corporation wards 11 through 14, and 24 through 26, and part of ward 8.
In the 2018 general election, the constituency was one of six chosen by lottery to use electronic voting machines.
AL candidate Kafiluddin contested the first general elections in newly independent Bangladesh, held in 1973 and became the lawmaker.
Arif Moinuddin, a BNP candidate contested the general election held in 1979 and won the seat.
But, Jatiya Party candidate Mohammad Sekander Hossain Miah contested the national poll held in 1986 and became the Member of Parliament (MP).
Harun Aur Rashid Khancontested the by-poll in 1988 and won the seat.
BNP candidate Abdullah Al Noman contested the general election held in 1991 and won the seat while AL candidate contested the national poll in 1996 and became MP from the constituency.
However, BNP candidate regained the seat in the general election held in 2001 while AL Md. Afsarul Ameen candidate contested the national poll held in 2008 and won the seat.
Jatiya Party leader Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu contested the national as AL-led grand alliance candidate in 2014 and became the MP while AL candidate Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury won the seat in the general election held in 2018.
The incumbent lawmaker and deputy minister for education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, son of renowned AL leader and former Chattogram City Corporation ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury is likely to get party ticket to contest the next general election.
Besides, former mayor and incumbent general secretary of Chattogram city unit of AL AJM Nasir Uddin also wants to contest the general election.
Besides, former AL MP and minister Nurul Islam BSC and Helal Uddin Chowdhury son of Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury, close and trusted associate of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will also seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Talking to journalists AL leaders and activists said there is no alternative to Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel in Chattogram-9 constituency.
On the other hand, Dr Shahadat Hossain, chief of Chattogram city unit of BNP is expected to get party ticket if BNP joins the next national polls.
Local leaders and workers of BNP believes party high command will nominate Dr Shahadat Hossain as MP candidate from the constituency if BNP participates in the general polls.
Apart from AL and BNP, leaders of Jatiya Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh and Workers Party of Bangladesh are also active in the constituency.
