Liton Sheikh and Nasima Akter have been living in Ashulia for nearly 15 years, both working in garment factories. Like many others in the area, they are eager to cast votes in the national election slated for February 12.
“Last time we couldn’t cast votes, but this time we want to,” the couple said. Leaflets from two candidates lay on the floor of their house. While the candidates themselves have not visited, party representatives dropped off the leaflets, they said. The couple further said that they will vote for a candidate who can ensure safety, curb theft and snatching, and resolve waterlogging in Savar.
During visits to Radio Colony, Chhayabithi, Harindhara, Palashbari and Narsinghpur, residents expressed interest in casting votes in the general election. While some have already decided whom to support, others remain undecided, saying that they will choose based on credibility and realistic promises as election day nears.
Garment workers to be the decisive factor
Savar-Ashulia is a major industrial hub, with garment workers forming a large portion of the population. In previous elections, worker-dominated areas had played a decisive role in determining election results. Observers say the same is likely this time.
Rupa Akter, a garment worker in Palashbari, said that safe mobility and basic infrastructure are top priorities. “We want to move around without harassment. Roads shouldn’t remain flooded, and no one should create trouble. Whoever can ensure these things will get our vote,” she said.
Aminul Islam, a teacher at a private university in Ashulia, said that the voting preference of garment workers could determine the outcome. “A huge number of garment workers live in Savar-Ashulia. Whichever candidate they support will be ahead. That’s why candidates must clearly address workers’ needs,” he said.
Under the banner of Dhaka-19 (Savar-Ashulia) Workers’ Demand Implementation Committee, a coalition of 43 labour organizations placed six key demands at a recent press conference. These include construction of worker housing colony in proportion to population, government educational institutions, daycare centers, playgrounds and modern hospitals, effective drainage systems to address waterlogging, streetlights, CCTV cameras and passenger shelters for safe commuting, strict action against scrap syndicates, drugs, snatching and extortion, introduction of rationing systems and fair-price shops, family cards, and enforcement of house rent laws.
Eight candidates are in the race
Eight candidates are contesting the 13th parliamentary election from Dhaka-19 (Savar-Ashulia) constituency. They are Dr. Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin Babu (BNP), Dilshana Parul (NCP), Md. Faruk Khan (Islami Andolon Bangladesh), Israfil Hossain Savari (National People’s Party), Sheikh Shawkat Hossain (Gono Odhikar Parishad), Md. Bahadur Islam (Jatiya Party), Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi (Liberal Democratic Party) and Md. Kamrul (Bangladesh Muslim League).
Nearly 750,000 voters
Dhaka-19 constituency comprises seven unions, one municipality and a cantonment area. A total of 747,070 voters registered across 275 polling centers with 1,523 polling booths. Of them, 379,907 are male, 367,150 female and 13 are third-gender voters.
Electoral history
Previously part of Dhaka-12 constituency, Savar elected Awami League’s Ataur Rahman Khan in the first parliamentary election in 1973, followed by BNP’s Mohammad Habibullah in the second election. After boundary reconfiguration, Awami League’s Talukder Touhid Jung Murad won the seat in 2008, followed by Enamur Rahman in the 10th and 11th elections.
In the 12th parliamentary election in 2024, Saiful Islam, president of the Awami League’s Ashulia Thana unit, was elected as an independent candidate.