The campaign in the upcoming upazila elections in Lalmonirhat, has gained momentum as the candidates work to win the hearts of voters right up until the last minute.
According to Election Commission sources, as many as 34 candidates are contesting 9 posts in three upazilas – Lalmonirhat Sadar, Hatibandha and Patgram.
Of those, 17 are vying for 3 chairman posts, 10 for vice chairman posts, and the remaining 7 for female vice chairman posts.
The candidates are busy meeting people and trying to win their votes. The election will be held on 27 February.
There are a total of 1,31,968 voters in Patgram upazila, 1,44,683 in Hatibandha upazila and 2,24,318 voters in Sadar upazila.
The candidate’s supporters have been busy campaigning for their candidates.
The supporters have been crowding at bazars, small markets, tea stalls, and crossing-points until midnight.
While talking to this correspondent, people from all walks of life, including rickshaw-pullers, small business holders, and day-labourers, said that they would elect corruption-free, patriotic people, who would serve as their local representatives with commitment and honesty.
Rickshaw-puller Meher Ali of Sarkarerhat village under Patgram upazila, said that they did not want make the mistake again of electing a selfish person who was greedy and not interested in the welfare of the ultra-poor.
A local trader, Nazar Ali Shaikh, of Goddimari village of Hatibandha upazila said; “I request the low-income people to elect honest, patriotic people who have goodwill.”
Abu Noor Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, additional district commissioner (ADC), and also the district
returning officer said; “The officials in the district election office and administration are engaged in completing the compulsory arrangements, so that the polls may be held in a free, fair and credible way.”