Three Dhaka city mayoral candidates of the Awami League and the BNP were busy campaigning in different areas as yesterday was the last day to conduct campaigns for city elections scheduled for tomorrow.
Awami League-backed mayoral aspirant Sayeed Khokon yesterday said he would accept the city corporation election result even if it showed his defeat.
Describing himself as a person who has a clean image, Khokon said he did not get involved in any business by abusing power even though the Awami League had taken office six years ago.
“So, there is no allegation against me.”
While campaigning in the capital’s Sayedabad, Khokon said he hoped the city dwellers would vote for him in the elections. Local Awami League leaders joined the campaign.
The Dhaka South City Corporation mayor hopeful said he would work together with leaders of all parties for the city’s development and also for the peace of city dwellers.
After Sayedabad, Khokon went to Jatrabari and campaigned there, urging people to cast their ballots for him. He visited Wards 47, 49, 50, 53 and 54 under Dhaka South City Corporation.
“I have a right to request the city dwellers to vote for me because this is the city where I belong.”
In the evening, Khokon addressed a press conference at his election campaign office at Bangabandhu Avenue, where he once again urged voters to vote for him before officially closing the election campaign.
Another Awami League-backed mayoral candidate, Annisul Huq, said during his campaign that he has capability, experience, honesty and enthusiasm for work.
“I want to turn Dhaka into a modern city while you have a vote and just two days to make a final decision,” these were his last words during a press conference at a community centre in Ward 10 of Darus Salam.
“When you vote, you have to elect your mayor who is best capable of holding that position of a modern Dhaka. I will meet you Tuesday night if I win the elections. Otherwise, you will see me on Wednesday morning where I will welcome the winner with garlands.”
The Dhaka north mayoral candidate also read out a letter which outlined his future plans for Dhaka city.
He also described how he would solve several problems step by step.
Annisul also displayed a model of future Dhaka featuring all the amenities of a modern city. He said he would implement the model if elected the mayor.
“I have carefully avoided the use of all kinds of politically vulgar words during campaigns and I want to do so in the future as well. I trust you and I hope you will not get confused.”
Annisul started his campaign at Mohakhali bus stand from where his motorcade visited all the wards under Dhaka North City Corporation.
Afroza to accept results, conditionally
Afroza Abbas, wife of BNP-backed Dhaka south mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas, yesterday promised to accept the election results if it is deemed free and fair by the people and the media.
She also urged newsmen and security forces to act impartially during tomorrow’s election.
Afroza made the remarks while electioneering in the capital’s Paltan area after visiting the house of senior Supreme Court lawyer Rafiq-Ul Haque.
She hoped that her husband, now in hiding, would win the election if the voters are not barred from exercising their franchise freely. “The government will witness a silent revolution.”
On the last day of campaigns, Afroza also went to Shiddeswari, Arambagh, Motijheel, Fakirerpool, Dilkusha areas.
In Dilkusha, Afroza told reporters that the supporters of her husband had been harassed by ruling party activists since the first day of electioneering on April 9.
“But the Election Commission and the law enforcers never took any action against them,” she claimed.
Accusing the government of not granting the bail petition of Abbas, who is a former minister, Afroza said she had got huge response from the residents of Dhaka south.
She again demanded deployment of army with judicial power.
