Elections to Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, and Sylhet city corporations are scheduled to be held Saturday.
Most mayor and councillor candidates contesting in these four elections are members of and have express support of either Awami League or BNP, though local body polls are non-partisan by law.
The Election Commission (EC) says it has completed all kinds of preparations for holding the elections in a free, fair and neutral manner.
BNP however, sent a letter to the EC Thursday, alleging that none of the city corporations had the environment for a free and fair election as the local administration and law enforcement were favouring the ruling party candidates. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad in his reaction told reporters that any violence during the polls would be dealt with in strong hands.
Candidates from both sides have raised allegations against opponents of violating the electoral code of conduct. BNP-backed mayor candidates in all four cities have demanded army deployment to prevent violence during the polls.
But the EC has repeatedly termed it unnecessary, saying the law enforcing agencies have the situation in these cities under control. It has deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other forces in all four cities. The returning officers Thursday informed the EC that the atmosphere of these city areas was good.
The campaigning of candidates of these city corporation elections ended at midnight Thursday. Candidates campaigned through press conferences, going from door to door, posters, leaflets, billboards and social media outlets such as Facebook.
There were also allegations of distributing money behind the scenes among needy voters.
In Khulna, the supporters of 14-party-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque, 18-party-backed candidate Moniruzzaman Moni and Jatiya Party-backed candidate Shafiqul Islam Madhu distributed leaflets and posters to voters and went from door to door throughout the city from early morning.
Moni campaigned at Moilapota, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Gallamari, Purba Baniyakhamar, CNB Colony, Sarak Bhaban and Khalishpur. Khaleque campaigned at New Market area, Prantik Market, Jora Gate, CNB colony, Sonadanga and Baro Bazar.
Madhu raised allegations of bribing against Khaleque and Moni of bribing voters and demanded army deployment during the polls. Khaleque told reporters he did not believe in the culture of bribing. Moni during his final campaign once again demanded army deployment.
In Barisal, Awami League-backed candidate and outgoing mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron expressed his support of the police firing on 18-party-backed candidate Ahsan Habib Kamal’s campaigners. He said they had acted to maintain law and order.
Hiron said he had no objection to army deployment and actions against violations of the code of conduct.
18-party-backed candidate Kamal alleged that police and administration were biased towards Hiron and the EC was ignoring his demand for changing the setup. The single shot that was fired on Wednesday was aimed at Kamal, his campaigners claimed.
In Sylhet, 14-party-backed mayor candidate Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran and 18-party-backed Ariful Haque Chowdhury went from door to door seeking votes. Ariful reiterated his demand of army deployment. Kamran said he had no objections if the EC decided to do so.
In Rajshahi, campaigners for Awami League-backed mayor candidate AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and BNP-backed candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul roamed the city in auto-rickshaws shouting campaign slogans through mikes.
Bulbul alleged that Liton and his supporters had threatened him several times and the EC and police were biased towards Liton.
Law enforcers were seen stopping vehicles at several check points in the city and searched the riders.