In the aftermath of lacklustre voter turnout in recent elections, the ruling Awami League faces a formidable challenge in mobilising voters to the centre for the Chittagong-10 constituency by-polls.
Therefore, leaders and activists are embarking on extensive campaigns, implementing diverse strategies to encourage voters as well as party supporters to cast their ballots.
The Dhaka-17 by-election held on July 17 saw a meagre 11.51% voter turnout, while the by-elections to the Chittagong-8 constituency recorded a slightly higher but still disappointing 14.55% turnout on April 27.
Similarly, the by-election for the Sandwip Upazila Chairman position held on May 25 experienced an 18.65% voter turnout. In contrast, the mayoral elections in Gazipur and Cox's Bazar witnessed a more significant voter presence.
The five candidates in the race are Deepak Kumar Palit of Trinamool BNP (golden scale symbol), independent candidate Manjurul Islam Bhuiyan (rocket), AL's Md Mohiuddin Bachchu (boat), Jatiya Party's Md Samsul Alam (plough), and Rashid Mia of Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Alliance (walking stick).
Though the AL candidate has four contenders, major political parties like the BNP and Islami Andolan Bangladesh are not participating in the election, scheduled for July 30.
CourtesyA senior Awami League leader pointed out that the proportion of voters supporting both the ruling party and the opposition BNP is relatively balanced, with each party claiming approximately 30-40% of the electorate. Consequently, if all Awami League supporters had turned up at the polling centres, the voter turnout should have been between 35 and 40%.
AJM Nasir Uddin, AL's Chittagong metropolitan unit general secretary and former city mayor, acknowledged the voters' lack of enthusiasm for short-term by-elections.
"Voters seem somewhat disinterested in electing an MP for just a few months. Nevertheless, voting is a civic responsibility, and every citizen should exercise their right to vote and elect the candidate of their choice. Unfortunately, voter interest in by-elections tends to be low," he told Dhaka Tribune.
Addressing this challenge, the city Awami League has devised several plans to boost voter engagement.
As per the plan, candidates and city leaders will conduct at least five rounds of campaigning to reach out to each voter multiple times. Additionally, the government's various development initiatives will be highlighted to the public, with the hope of motivating voters to participate actively in the by-elections.
Advocate Ibrahim Hossain Chowdhury Babul, AL's metropolitan unit vice president, echoed Nasir.
"The by-election's short duration and the lack of strong candidates contribute to the voters' disinterest. Awami League supporters believe that with active involvement from party leaders and workers, their candidate will emerge victorious. However, stronger contenders would undoubtedly draw more voters to the polling centres," he added.
CourtesyIn the previous Chittagong-8 by-election, Awami League candidate Noman Al Mahmud secured victory with 67,000 votes, out of a total of 75,305 votes cast, constituting a 14.55% turnout. Noman remains an active figure in the city's Awami League activities.
Lawmaker Noman pointed out that higher voter turnout is observed in elections with strong competitors. "In by-elections, the lack of formidable contenders impacts the voters' inclination to participate. However, in national elections, we anticipate a significantly higher voter presence," he told Dhaka Tribune.
The AL-nominated candidate for the Chittagong-10 by-polls, Mohiuddin Bachchu, remains optimistic about his chances.
"Our party has an extensive workforce, and we are personally reaching out to every voter as directed by the Metropolitan Awami League. I urge them to come to the polling stations and vote for the candidate of their choice. With collective efforts, we hope for a positive outcome in the by-election," he told Dhaka Tribune.