Printing presses in Chittagong now have their hands full making posters of contestants of the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) election with election symbols being provided by the Election Commission on Friday.
After facing a slump in the last three months, the press owners are back to business with preparing different campaign materials like posters, banners, digital banners, handbills and stickers for the candidates.
Andarkillah area, the hub of printing press in the port city, was found thriving with hustle and bustle even on the weekend yesterday.
The Election Commission allocated election symbols to 12 mayoral candidates, 212 councillor candidate and 61 reserved councillor candidates for the CCC polls scheduled for April 28.
Jabed Mia Rana, proprietor of Sumaiya Printers, told the Dhaka Tribune: “In the last two days, we have printed over 2000 posters and 4000 leaflets for two ward councillors.”
He said it was the biggest order for him in the last three months. A massive number of posters, digital banners and leaflets were under processing.
“The printing business has incurred gross losses in the last three months due to countrywide political impasse since January 5, however, we are now trying to recover the losses by printing the election campaign materials,” said Rana.
The printing staff informed that necessary preparation was done for designing posters before the symbols were announced. Therefore, after the announcement, they could promptly make the plates and send for printing, following orders.
S Madina Printers was found printing posters for ruling Awami League backed mayoral candidate AJM Nasir Uddin with election symbol ‘elephant.’ Thousands of posters for AJM Nasir Uddin were printed on Friday night, said the printing staff.
Additionally, the paper shop proprietors are passing a busy time supplying papers to the press.
