A record number of female candidates have joined the fray for the Union Parishad elections at Khulna’s Dakopa Upazila. But many of them have been allegedly threatened to pull out of the race by rival male candidates.
As many as 37 women are vying for ward councillors while another has filed nomination for Tildanga Union chairman’s office, the election office said, adding that the number of female candidates was a record for Dakopa.
Participation of so many women have added momentum to the campaign. “People are excited. Many are campaigning for the women whose participation has become the talk of the town,” Dakopa resident Abbas Hossain said.
Kailashganj Union’s Ward 8 aspirant Jharna Sheel claimed her rival Bulu Mandal and his supporters had been pressing her to stand down. Banishanta Union’s Ward 5 candidate Monowara Begum alleged being threatened by opponent Halim Howlader over phone. Suratkhli Union’s Ward 1 candidate Namita Mandal claimed supporters of her rivals had threatened Kankar Mandal, who proposed her name.
Kamarkhola Union’s Ward 6 candidate Bagum Sakhina Abu said her rival Abu Isa Sana had lodged complaints against her with the returning officer, which turned out to be baseless.
Bulu Mandal and Halim Howlader rejected the allegations, claiming they were encouraging women participation.
Naribikash Kendra’s Dakopa Upazila coordination committee chief Dankumari said pressurising women candidates to end their bid was a sort of rights violation. “Women empowerment will be incomplete by only electing them from reserved seats. They have to get out of this circle. The movement for ensuring women’s rights will gradually wane if they lack participation at key policy-making posts,” she said.
Dankumari is contesting from Bajua Union’s Ward 4.
Upazila Returning Officer Khan Motahar Hossain said: “We will take legal actions if we find specific evidence against anyone obstructing campaign.”
