Many voters as well as candidates of the Chittagong City Corporation have expressed concern over the alleged distribution of money among slum dwellers and other floating voters, as was reported during the 2010 election.
Their apprehension grew stronger as the leaders of the Awami League and the BNP blamed each other in the last two days for spending money to buy votes ahead of today’s election.
The law enforcers earlier claimed they had taken different measures to stop the use of black money during the election. But so far, none of those responsible for buying votes could be arrested.
Election observers and party insiders say money is distributed usually the night before the election – locally known as “Chand Raat” or “field day.”
There are around 250,000 voters living in slums of the port city, that constitute around 14% of the total voters under the CCC. Observers say these voters would play a key role in influencing the results.
For instance, the biggest slum in the city, “Amin Colony,” is situated in Paschim Sholoshahar area. There are seven more slums in the vicinity. Of the total 82,000 voters in the ward, some 35,000 live in the slums.
In the port city, there are at least five big slums and several other small slums. In the last two elections, these slums had the highest number of voter turnout, at around 60%-70%. These voters played a vital role behind the BNP-backed candidate’s victory in 2010, say observers.
On the eve of the December 2008 parliamentary election, a close relative of a city BNP leader was arrested with Tk54 lakh meant for distribution among the voters.
This time, most mayoral and councillor candidates have expressed concern over the widespread use of black money ahead of the election.
Chittagong University’s political science teacher Prof Dr Muhammad Yahia said: “A community can become a factor during an election if it has 2% or 3% votes of the total voters. So, 14% voters will be a big factor.”
He mentioned that most of the slum dwellers generally are not bothered by the political ideology and the pledges of the aspirants. “They will consider the candidates who will give them financial benefits instantly.”
At a view-exchange meeting with the chief election commissioner on April 11, around 25 out of the 36 councillor candidates had asked the EC to intensify vigilance and stop buying votes, especially in the two nights before the polls.
Later on April 26, Awami League-backed mayoral candidate AJM Nasir Uddin alleged the BNP-endorsed mayoral aspirant, M Manjur Alam, was trying to woo voters with money.
“Manjur is a cunning person. He won the last mayoral election in 2010 by distributing money among the voters. This time too he is trying to buy votes in exchange for money in the slum areas,” Nasir said.
Yesterday he once again told reporters that Manjur’s men had been giving the slum dwellers money.
In response to the allegations, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury blamed Nasir for hatching a conspiracy. He also alleged the AL-backed candidate himself was trying to woo the voters by distributing money.
When contacted, CMP Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mandal said any use of money during the polls was illegal. “We will take necessary measures whenever we get information about such a move by any candidate.”
The law enforcers will keep an eye on the mayoral and councillor candidates until late night, to stop the use of black money.
Returning Officer Md Abul Baten said it is difficult for them to control the use of money ahead of the election unless the voters and the candidates became conscious.
