Two weeks of hectic campaigning for the maiden elections to the Gazipur City Corporation ended on Thursday midnight, with mayoral and councillor contenders making last-ditch efforts to garner support ahead of tomorrow’s vote.
Supporters of both ruling party backed Azmat Ullah Khan and opposition-supported MA Mannan were busy going door-to-door throughout the city since early morningon Thursday, distributing leaflets and posters among voters to seek their support. They also campaigned through loudspeakers in different parts of the newly-established city corporation until midnight.
With time running out for campaigning, Mannan shook hands and handed out leaflets as he contacted voters in the rain at Mirer Bazar, Meghdubi of Pubail, TT and Uta garments at Shalna, Konabari, Chandana intersection, College gate and Badhura areas.
“Azmat Ullah was mayor (of Tongi) for 17 years, but just see, a short burst of rain has created huge water-logging in the city. So, to remove the water-logging problem and to build a model city, cast your vote for me. I will not disappoint you,” Mannan said, urging local residents to vote in favour of his “television” electoral symbol.
During the campaigning, Mannan had brought to the forefront national issues, like Hefazat-e-Islam, extrajudicial killings, price hike of essentials and government corruption.
When news spread that Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad had extended his support to Azmat, Mannan’s followers became demoralised for a while. But after local JP leaders reassured them that they were behind Mannan, the activists renewed campaigning with a new spirit, claiming that the government had forced Ershad to support Azmat.
Azmat, meanwhile, spent most of his last day of campaigning at Tongi, which is deemed as his vote bank. He was busy visiting Sena Kalyan Bhaban and Tongi Bazar areas to get support for his “ink pot and pen” symbol.
Azmat said he was “happy enough” after getting Ershad’s support.
“It proves that Ershad remains with the grand alliance,” said Azmat. He alleged that Mannan was misleading voters about having the support of JP’s district unit.
Law and order situation positive: CEC
“The law and order situation is positive. We are being careful about maintaining the law and order situation during the GCC polls,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said after meeting Awami League and BNP delegations at the EC secretariat. He said the EC is prepared to face any situation in the Gazipur City Corporation election.
