DHAKA, CHITTAGONG CITY POLLS

Candidates, the frontrunners in particular, in the elections to the two city corporation in Dhaka on Wednesday broke sweat crisscrossing the election areas to reach as many voters as possible, with the polling date nearing fast.Along with the civic polls in the port city of Chittagong, the mayoral elections to the Dhaka north city corporation and Dhaka south city corporation are scheduled to be held on April 28.Besides mass contact, candidates put public announcement system into service to seek votes, held roadside  rallies, and posters with election symbols of many candidates were seen hanging overhead along different roads and alleys.Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Moudud Ahmed for the first time on Wednesday campaigned for the BNP-backed mayoral candidate in the Dhaka north city corporation polls at Mohammadpur area and asked people to elect Tabith Awal to pave the way for bringing back democracy in the country.He also called on all to go to the polling stations braving all odds and guard the polling stations so that people’s votes are not snatched away.Tabith claimed a mass wave has been created in favour of him in the polls. Earlier, he attended a programme of young people at the Spectra Convention Centre. After the programme, he alleged he did not yet find any ‘signs’ of fair election.

He, however, said, he is hopeful that the election commission would finally take necessary steps to make the polls free and fair.Ruling Awami League-backed candidate Annisul Huq carried out mass contact at different parts in the capital including at Banasree, Khilgaon, Hazipara, Kachukhet, Ibrahimpur, Farmgate and Nakhalpara MP hostel.His supporters were seen carrying a replica of a big table clock, the election symbol of Annisul.Annisul said the election has turned into a festival.Besides, attending a roadside rally at Kalshi, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh backed candidate Mahi B Chowdhury alleged the manifesto of Annisul Huq is devoid of spirit. ‘And that is why,’ he added, ‘Annisul Huq is not coming face-to-face with his fellow contenders.’Mahi cited examples of two scheduled programmes where Annisul was scheduled to join but he finally did not turn up.He alleged Annisul gave no programmes for the readymade garment workers, whose labour made him rich.Earlier on Tuesday night, Mahi met the BNP chairperson, Khaleda Zia, at her Gulshan residence and sought vote for his election symbol Eagle, according to a press release of Mahi.AL-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka south city corporation Sayeed Khokon said people would vote for peace and would not vote for those who destroyed peace in the country.‘Normal life was disturbed by the blockade and strikes of BNP-led 20-party alliance. Now people do not want to bring the suffering back,’ said Khokon.He started his election campaign from Siddheswari area.Meanwhile, BNP backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka south city corporation Mirza Abbas’s wife carried out campaign at different parts in the capital as her husband is yet to appear in public to seek votes, fearing arrest or harassment.Alleging that she and her workers were continuously facing harassment while electioneering, Aforza called on the people to go to the polling stations on April 28, braving all odds.

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