Campaigning for the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) ended on Saturday at midnight amidst allegations of violation of the electoral code of conduct.
BNP mayoral candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul submitted more than 50 written allegations to the returning officer regarding breach of polls code by the Awami League during the last 19 days of campaign.
He claimed that Awami League activists are distributing black money to the low income people in the suburb of the city corporation.
“Around 14 black microbuses which came from Dhaka are moving in the city area. They are trying to influence voters by giving money,” Mosaddek said during his campaign at Shahebbazar on Saturday.
The BNP candidate also doubted a fair election anticipating that the ruling Awami League might rig votes.
He said the Awami League activists are threatening their polling agents.
However, Awami League mayoral candidate AHM Khairuzzamanan Liton denied the allegations.
BNP candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul Rajib Dhar
“The BNP candidate and his people have been raising different allegations since the beginning, but the allegations already proved false.
“We have no motive to rig votes or influence voters by spreading black money because we see a spontaneous wave for the boat [Awami League’s electoral symbol],” he said in a press conference at the party office on Saturday.
All mayoral candidates other than the Awami League candidate have been claiming that the Election Commission failed to ensure a level playing field for campaigning.
However, Returning Officer Aminul Islam said a level playing field has already been created and a free and fair election will be held with the support of law enforcement agencies.
Last minute campaigns of Awami League, BNP candidates
All candidates carried out campaigning from morning to midnight, defying rain.
During a visit in Shaheb Bazar, Alu Potti, Binodpur, Talaimari and Kumar Para areas of the city it was found that both the Awami League and BNP mayoral candidates, along with their supporters, were carrying out door-to-door campaigning to lure voters.
During a campaign at Binodpur, Awami League candidate Khairuzzaman Liton pledged to build a modern, green and clean city, if elected.
His supporters also organized rallies at all 30 wards of the city corporation.
BNP candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul conducted campaign in the Shaheb Bazar area along with local and central party leaders and supporters and sought votes for the sheaf of paddy symbol.
Both candidates are confident of winning in the July 30 election, which is being held with the party symbol for the first time.
A total of five candidates are running for the mayor post for the Rajshahi City Corporation, but the main contest will be held between the Awami League and BNP.
Three other mayoral candidates are – Shafiqul Islam of Islami Andalon Bangladesh, Habibur Rahman of Jatiya Party (Manju) and Morad Morshed, an independent candidate, also a member of Ganasonghati Andolan.
