The campaign for Barisal Sadar upazila parishad (UzP) elections ended Tuesday night amidst allegations of violations of the representation of the people’s order (RPO), two days before the polls slated for February 27.
According to sources, there are a total seven candidates- two for chairperson, two for male vice chairman and 3 for female vice chairperson. The candidates are vying for votes from 131,383 voters who will cast their ballots at 66 voting centres with 376 polling booths.
The fight will be between BNP and Awami League (AL) backed candidates.
On Monday, the candidates were very busy campaigning for votes from the voters.
In the campaign, both local and national issues were given priority. When they talked on local issues, candidates gave priority to development of the upazila, including the expansion of communication, education, health, and sanitation facilities.
The ruling party candidates also stressed the importance of the role of pro-liberation forces, as well as highlighting development activities carried out under the present government and promising that a free and fair poll will take place.
Opposition party candidates criticised the government, making allegations of corruption, lawlessness, and a politicised administration. They urged voters to reject AL candidates.
Enayet Hossain Bachchu, Sadar upazila BNP president and BNP backed chairman candidate, alleged the Sadar upazila AL candidate was violating election conduct rules by using money and muscle power.
Bachchu said AL plan to win in Sadar UzP through vote-rigging and conducting a voter-less election with the help of the Election Commission and administration, like in the first round of the UzP elections in the Barisal region.
Saidur Rahman Rintu, Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries president and AL backed chairman candidate, denied the allegations.
Zannatul Ferdousi, joint secretary of Kotwali Mohila Dal, is contesting with Rehana Begum, joint secretary of Sadar upazila AL.
As BNP and AL backed candidates for male vice-chairman, MD Anowar Hossain, secretary of Kotwali BNP, and Shahid Md Shah Newaz, convener of Kotwali Jubo League, have no rival candidates.
AL rebel female vice-chairperson candidate Atiya Begum said she would not be considered as a rebel AL candidate as local government elections are non-partisan.
The candidates were campaigning first for the personal win and then for the party panel, said Abdur Rahman, a voter in the area.
Dulal Talikdar, district election officer and returning officer, said: “The situation is normal and no allegations were formally filed before me.”
