With over a month to go until election day, the probable candidates in the second phase of Union Parishad (UP) elections have begun mobilising in their respective areas in Narayanganj district to woo the voters.
The probable candidates in chairman and member posts became active after the Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule of the second phase of the elections which will be held on November 11.
The chairman and member aspirants of the lowest tier of the local government are now visiting voters’ houses. Against this backdrop, election fever has gripped the district.
The election fever has also gripped the tea stalls, marketplaces and other related spots in the respective areas of the district where the UP polls will be held on the day. Heated UP election discussions are going on in the places of Narayanganj district.
Talking to the Bangladesh Post, some people from different areas of Narayangaj district said that the probable candidates in their areas have already started unofficial election campaigns although the official campaign will begin later. “We began unofficial campaign as the election day is close at hand. If we begin our election campaign after symbol allotment, it will be so late,” said a probable chairman candidate.
According to the election schedule, the second phase of UP polls will be held in sixteen Union Parishads in Narayanganj district.
District election office has already assigned six returning officers for operating the procedure of the polls to the UPs, said district election officer Motiur Rahman.
Election Officer of Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Afroza Khatun has been assigned as returning officer for the elections to Kutubpur, Gognogar, Enayetnogor union councils.
Election Officer of Sonargaon upazila Yusuf-ur-Rahman has been made returning officer for the elections to Kashipur, Baktabali and Alirtek union councils.
Election Officer of Bandar upazila Abdul Kadir is the returning officer for the polls to Madanpur and Kolagasia union councils; while education officer of the upazila Arifur Rahman will perform duty as the returning officer for elections to Muchhapur and Dhamgor unions.
Election Officer of Rupganj upazila Mahabubur Rahman has been made returning officer for elections to Murapara, Kayetpara and Bhulta union councils. On the other hand, Election Officer of Araihazar upazila Sultana Elin has been assigned for the elections to Bholabo and Golakandail union councils.
Among the UPs, the elections to Murapara and Kayetpara unions will be held through using electronic voting machine (EVM).
Although the nomination papers purchasing and submitting deadline on October 17, no candidate yet purchased nomination paper.
The last date for nomination paper submission is October 17, while nomination papers will be scrutinized on October 20, appeal on October 21-23, appeal disposal on October 24-25, candidature withdrawal on October 26 and symbol allotment on October 27. Visiting some areas, where elections will be held in November, the scenario was found that the election publicity began by the probable candidates through the banners and festoons before declaration of election schedule.
Besides, it was alleged that some probable chairman candidates and their followers published banners welcoming the voters, which were torn by the rivals’ probable candidates.
Former chairman Momen Sikder of Kashipur union alleged that his banners were twice torn by unknown people at night.
