Panchagarh, a municipality of 30,000 voters, is abuzz with speculations about the upcoming local elections set to take place on December 30.
Following the announcement of the election schedule, aspirants for the mayor and councillor seats have been busy trying to secure endorsement from their political parties; but there is high likelihood that the election might see multiple rebel candidates.
According to local sources, several hopefuls are vying to get backing from the Awami League, while single candidates from the BNP, Jamaat, and JaSad are now campaigning in the area.
The incumbent mayor, municipality BNP’s President Md Towhidul Islam, will reportedly run again this time to retain his seat. Towhidul, also the district BNP vice-president, has consecutively won the past four municipality elections and is popular among the voters.
His main challenge is likely to come from any of six individuals fighting for Awami League’s backing. Among them, district Awami League’s former organising secretary Advocate Mirza Sarwar Hossain is leading the race.
District AL General Secretary Anwar Sadat Samrat told the Dhaka Tribune that based on popular support, district AL president and Panchagarh 2 lawmaker Advocate Nurul Islam Sujon has already recommended Sarwar’s name to the party headquarters.
However, he did not comment on whether any rebel candidate might run against the party-endorsed candidate.
On Friday, a section of local Awami League protested MP Sujon’s decision to pick Sarwar as a candidate.
District Mohila AL General Secretary Zakia Anwar, who is also hoping to secure party candidacy, said the district president ignored the opinion of the grassroots and made the selection on his own.
Looking at other parties, Jamaat’s Panchagarh Amir Mawlana Abdul Khalek is likely to run as the only candidate for Jamaat, while Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSad) is likely to extend its support to its district president, Freedom Fighter Abdul Majid Babul.
From both the major political alliances, aspirants for councillor seats are also active lobbying and campaigning to secure their candidacy.
Enthusiasm among the locals is high, with the upcoming polls dominating conversations at most tea stalls and public places.
Aspirants for Awami League and JaSad’s nominations are campaigning in public – holding meetings, discussion and visiting different mosques and temples to garner the support of the voters.
On the other hand, candidates supported by the BNP and the Jamaat are treading carefully out of fear of being arrested or facing attacks. But they continue communicating with local activists and well-wishers to organise and build their campaigns.
District Election Officer Dewan Md Sarwar Jahan said two nomination papers for the mayor’s office and 47 more papers for councillor and reserved women councillor seats have been served so far.
The local election authorities have all necessary preparations to successfully arrange the polls, the official added.