Private television channel ATN News will air two mayoral debates on the channel organised by the Dhaka Tribune.
The debate of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will be aired on the television channel after its 9pm news bulletin on Tuesday.
Dhaka Tribune will stream the programme live.
The debate of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will be aired at the same time on the television channel on April 23.
With research support from the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID), a policy research institute, the first of the two televised mayoral debates was held Krishibid Institution in the capital.
Mayoral candidates Sayeed Khokon, Mohammad Saifuddin Ahmed Milon, Golam Mawla Roni, Mohammad Shafi Ullah Chowdhury, Shahidul Islam and Bazlur Rashid Firoz took part in the debate moderated by Munni Saha, head of news of ATN News.
The debate was guided by a youth manifesto prepared on the basis of opinion of the city dwellers.
Through online and offline surveys, the IID collected public opinion about their demands from the mayor to be elected and prepared the manifesto, said Syeed Ahamed, founder and CEO of IID.
During the debate, the participants have pledged to solve a number of problems of city dwellers.
Regarding the pledges, the participants said: “They will try to ensure safety, especially for women, in public places by creating and enforcing committees if they were elected.”
The mayoral candidates also answered to various questions raised by audience during the debate.
Diverse issues including environment and public health, water-logging, traffic congestion, outdoor recreation opportunities, education and information facilitation and public safety and security were raised during the question-answer session.
“When it comes to the issue of maintaining a healthy environment and a clean city, it is of utmost importance that we eradicate corruption and nepotism within the responsible groups,” said Bazlur Rashid Firoz.
Shahidul Islam said: “As mayor, I will strive to bring all the relevant ministries under the roof of one common goal, that is, ridding the city of its water-logging problems.”
About the issue of traffic congestion, a number of promises were made by the mayoral candidates.
The promises included seeking helps from specialists in the fields of road design and city planning for constructing new circular roads, one way streets and flyovers.
“The completion of the construction of metro railway will resolve a number of traffic related obstacles,” said Saifuddin.
Lack of recreational facilities and playing fields, and illegal encroachment of the places are severe problems in the city.
“There will be no compromise when it comes to illegal encroachment, fields will once again be open for the young and old without discrimination,” said Khokon.
About education and information facilitation, it was almost unanimously agreed upon that city-wide WiFi connectivity is one of the major changes that has to be brought about.
The elections to the city corporations are scheduled to be held on April 28.
