The new young voters accounting for 14% of the total electors might play a decisive role in the third Barisal City Corporation election 2013.
Besides, the role of over 20,000 slum dwellers and one-third grass root people of the total voters and 49% female voters will also be a key factor for the BCC election.
The second BCC election held on August 4, 2008 witnessed 1, 79,293 voters including 91,351 male and 87,942 female voters.
14% new young voters accounting for 31,556, of which 16,274 are male and 15,282 female, added to the current list accounts to 2,10,849 voters in total.
Shawkat Hossain Hiron, city AL president, outgoing mayor and 14-party alliance-backed mayoral candidate, said at present the young generation bear pro-liberation ideas and females enjoy safety and security – “all these came into being during my tenure as BCC mayor”.
The slums were developed fighting against all odds, and development works have already started in the extended wards and will be finished giving highest priority “if I am voted to power”, said Hiron.
Ahsan Habib Kamal, former municipal commissioner, chairman and the 18-party alliance-backed mayoral candidate, said not only the new young voters and local issues, but also the national issues like killing of Hefazat activists, soaring prices of essentials and transport fares and autocratic activities of the ruling alliance will influence the BCC election.
“The BNP-led 18 party alliances have a solid vote bank and this year we are united to contest the poll. We also have strong support in the development deprived slums and extended 10 wards of BCC area,” Kamal added.
Outgoing mayor of the 14-party alliance candidate got 46,796 (33.6%) votes in the second BCC election and won by a marginal difference of 588 votes even after BNP votes were split between its three factions. BNP jointly received 92,485 (66.4%) of the votes cast in that election, he explained.
Mahmudul Huq Khan Mamun, Jubo League leader and independent mayoral candidate, said the young, female and poor voters want fresh, physically fit and religious-minded candidates with modern outlook and an unblemished moral character.
“From these points of views, I am fresh, much younger than others, a man with flawless character and campaigning for the mayoral post since the end of second BCC election,” Khan Mamun said.
Kamrunnahar, a female voter of ward No. 2, and Abdur Rashid, voter of ward No. 29 in the city, said: “We want experienced and uncorrupt leadership for BCC.”
Soliman Mia and Mandira Saha, residing in Palashpur and Balurmath slums in the city, said BCC always develops the city centres and posh areas like sadar road, hospital road, Bandh road and Alenkanda.
“No body cares for poor people like us who always have to live through the flash floods during tidal surges,” they said.
Shakhawat Hosain, a young contractor of the city, said: “We don’t want tender robbers and political cadres to reign in BCC areas.”
