Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) is ready to taking challenge of credible election in Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) today (Tuesday) amid blaming of vote rigging in the recently held Khulna city polls.
During election campaigns, the BNP mayoral candidate Hasan Uddin Sarker has alleged that the ruling Awami League men were taking an advantage in the campaign by using the local administration, law enforcers and black money.
He also expressed concern over holding the June 26 GCC polls in a free, fair and participatory by the present Election Commission.
From the beginning, BNP has also been demanding for withdrawal of Gazipur Superintendent of Police for his alleged partisan beheavour.
On the other hand, the AL nominee Jahangir Alam, however, said that his rival had been making false allegations sensing defeat.
He claimed that people had already rejected BNP as its incumbent Gazipur mayor did not do any development work in the city in last five years.
Political analysts have said that this GCC election is a widespread challenge for the ruling Awami League, main opposition BNP and the Election Commission to hold credible and inclusive polls.
Professor Dr. Sharif Uddin of Jahangir Nagar University, who is also a political analyst, told The New Nation on Monday that, “It is a real challenge for the three key players. But it is more significant for EC and the government because both the government and the EC needs to prove their transparency and capabilities to hold a free, fair and acceptable election.”
He also said BNP has a challenge to bring their activists and supporters in vote centers and prove their popularity ahead of the next general election, which is likely to take place after some five to six months.
Meanwhile, the campaign of mayoral aspirants and councillor contenders ended Sunday mid night.
Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin told the media yesterday that, “All necessary preparation have already been taken to hold the GCC polls to be held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm in a free, fair and peaceful manner.”
He said general holiday has been announced on Tuesday in the city area and all factories and industries, including garments, will remain closed on the day.
Gazipur Election Returning Officer Raqib Uddin Mandol told journalists on Monday that election-related materials such as ballot boxes and ballot papers had already been sent to the respective centers by Monday.
The main competition is likely to be held between AL-backed Jahangir Alam (Boat Symbol) and BNP-backed Hasan Uddin Sarker (Sheaf of Paddy). The other candidates are: Md Ruhul Amin of communist Party of Bangladesh, Md Jalal Uddin of Bangladesh Islami Front, Fazlul Haque Minar of Islami Oikkya Jote, Md Nasir Uddin of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and independent candidate Farid Ahmed.
Awami League mayor candidate Jahangir Alam has said the voters will be able to exercise their franchise amid a joyous atmosphere. “I believe the people will vote for us for development,” he said.On the other hand, BNP mayor aspirant Hasan Uddin Sarkar has expressed doubts over an impartial election.
“Members of law enforcement agencies have been knocking at the doors of our activists regularly over the last few days,” he said, adding, “I fear the [Awami League] government will try to rig the votes with the help of its activists and law enforcement officials.”
According to local election commission office, the number of voters in GCC is now 11,37,737. Of the voters, 5,79,935 male and 5,67,801 female.
RAB 1 commanding officer Lt Col Sarwar-Bin-Kashem said they had divided Gazipur city election in two sectors — one being the Gazipur sector and the other, Tongi.
Gazipur Superintendent of Police Harun-ur-Rashid said: “We have not observed any irregularities. Law enforcers are actively trying to create a suitable voting environment. They will be there to tackle any sort of unwanted activities.”
Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Humayun Kabir said 15,000 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed to ensure law and order. Apart from them, 62 executive magistrates will be on the field.
Returning officer Raqib Uddin Mandol said, along with 29 platoons BGB, 600 members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), 6,000 members of police and 7,000 members of Ansar and APBN will remain deployed in the city.
He said the main reason to deploy such a huge number of law enforcers is to hold the polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner. The voting will be held at 425 polling centers, he added.
Besides, the seven mayoral candidates, a total of 254 candidates are contesting for councillor posts at 57 general wards and 84 women candidates for 19 reserve seats.
Meanwhile, hundreds of local and foreign observers are also ready to oversee the poll process.
Movement of all vehicles, including launch, engine boat, speedboat, Mahendra (baby-taxi), battery run easy bikes, jeeps, pick-ups, microbuses, buses and private cars and motorcycles have been stopped from June 25 midnight to June 26 midnight, except the vehicles which are used for the election purpose, according to a press release issued by the district administration.
