The two candidates in the upcoming Kishoreganj-4 constituency by-elections, AL-backed Rejwan Ahmed Towfq, and independent candidate Syed Mahitul Islam Asim, are campaigning up until the last minute to secure the seat of Abdul Hamid, which became vacant after his appointment as president of Bangladesh on April 22 this year.
The July 3 Kishoreganj by-elections have raised voters’ expectations that local issues such as flood mitigation systems, poor quality roads, health services, and electricity shortages will be addressed. For years, annual flooding has destroyed crops in remote parts of Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram Hoar regions. “We do not understand politics. We want to see the development of our area, its dam system and the roads, power and health,” said Kanchan Mia, a voter of Elongjury union in Itna.
Electioneers for both candidates have been working overtime through the eve of the election, campaigning with unprecedented vigour for a local election. The AL has assigned lawmakers and central leaders, many of who are staying in Kishoreganj Haor area, and in many wards of Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram to campaign for their MP aspirant. Incumbent and former leaders of AL wings Jubo League, Mahila League, Krishak League, Olama League, pro-ruling party student body Bangladesh Chhatra League, and cultural activists have been engaged in the task of securing victory for Towfiq, eldest son of president Abdul Hamid. Additionally a number of Chhatra League leaders and activists from Dhaka have come to Kishoreganj to campaign for Towfiq. They were seen holding meetings in different areas of Haor.
Riding the publicity created by his decision to run as an independent, rebel candidate Asim seeks to break the 42-year hold the AL has had on this constituency - voters having elected an AL candidate during each of the past seven elections. Like the ruling party electioneers, Asim has also formed many teams led mostly by his local supporters and relatives, assigning them by ward. As part of his electoral campaign, Asim told voters that he does not belong to any party. He claimed that he was only participating in the poll to bring a change to AL rule in the constituency.
On June 3 the AL nominated Rejwan Ahmed Toufiq as its candidate to contest the by-election. Rejected by his party, Asim, publicity secretary of Astagram upazila Awami League, decided to contest the by-polls as an independent candidate.
Candidte Asim has alleged that Towfiq has broken electoral codes of conduct and that law enforcement officials were not taking any measures against him. He also complained to journalists that deputy commissioner Harun, of Lalbhag region in Dhaka, is engaged in publicity and mass communication for the AL candidate, while other police personnel, namely criminal investigator Jamal Uddin Mir, and Omar Faruq Manju, former Tejgaon precinct officer in charge also participated in the campaign for Towfiq.
Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), local Police and Ansar troops will be deployed on the day of election. The Coast Guard will be deployed if necessary, election commissioner Zabed Ali said while visiting Kishoreganj recently. To ensure a fair election, around 5000 law enforcement personnel will be deployed during the election, focusing on 104 polling centres identified as risky, said Md. Siddiqur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Kishoreganj in a law and disciplinary meeting held in his office on Sunday.
A total of 279,719 voters are expected to exercise their franchise in 118 polling centres under the 24 union councils of the constituency.
