With just few hours to go, candidates, supported by both the ruling party Awami League and the BNP, fear widespread irregularities and vote rigging in the election of Haimchar upazila in Chandpur on December 23.
Even the former foreign minister, Dipu Moni, a prominent figure of the ruling party, shared her concern.
At a view exchange meeting with local journalists on Saturday night, Dipu Moni said it was the BNP that she was worried about.
“We are concerned about the attitude of district BNP Convenor Sheikh Farid Ahmed and his cohorts. Their display of muscle and money power is certainly troubling. They are also spreading falsehood about AL candidates by sensing our possible victory,” she said.
Trashing her comment, Sheikh Farid said no free and fair election was possible during the tenure of the AL government. “The BNP, in the last six years, has no record of vote rigging,” he claimed.
“Local AL lawmakers have been campaigning in favor of their candidate. This is a clear violation of electoral code. They are also threatening our people and have beaten up some of our activists,” alleged Sheikh Farid.
Meanwhile, the tension and apprehension run high among the rebel candidates of the Awami League.
Though a large number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area, the candidates are not assured of credibility and transparency.
Chunnu Sarkar, a rebel candidate, said the AL-backed Nur Hossain had threatened to fill up ballot boxes within early morning. “That is why there are ample reasons to be worried about. If the election is fair, I am very hopeful of winning.”
Echoing Chunnu, another rebel candidate Shahjahan Mia said Nur Hossain was gathering supporters from the adjacent districts to occupy the polling booths.
However, Nur Hossain disregarded all the allegations saying that people would be able to cast their vote without any intimidation. “People in this area are peace loving. They have held peaceful elections before and will do so this time. Moreover, AL government did a lot of development works for Haimchar. So I am very positive about winning.”
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Ataur Rahman said sufficient number of law enforcers, including the army, had been deployed and they were expecting a proper election.
Nurul Nuri, the returning officer of the election said: “We have made all the preparation for holding a credible election. Army had been deployed and will remain in the area till December 26. Besides, magistrates, BGB, RAB, police, coastguard and Ansar members have also been deployed.”.
The election of the Haimchar upazila was twice postponed due to natural calamity and a court case. Months after the initial date of February 27, it was finally announced to be held on December 23. A total of five persons for the post of chairman, five for vice-chairman and two for reserved women vice-chairman posts would be competing in the election. 69,780 voters will cast their votes in 31 polling centres laid across the upazila.