Comilla in election mood

With the Comilla city polls only a day away, around two-week electioneering will end at midnight tonight.

Candidates have launched a last-minute campaign in the city to garner support.

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Restriction on outsiders staying in the city is already in force since early today. Besides, a ban will be imposed on movement of motorcycles in the city from early tomorrow.

Movement of all modes of transport will be restricted on polling day. However, vehicles with special stickers from the Election Commission and those of fire service, postal, power, water and gas supply authorities and ambulances will remain out of the purview of the ban.

The restrictions will be put in place as per electoral laws to hold the polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner, said EC officials.

Four candidates are contesting the mayoral post and 154 are running for 36 posts of ward councillors. They launched electoral campaign on March 15 after they were allocated election symbols on the same day.

The city has been in a festive mood for the last two weeks, with candidates and their supporters holding rallies, bringing out processions and going door-to-door to woo voters. They have put thousands of posters, banners and other electoral campaign materials on display in city streets.

Candidates made pledges to voters to develop city's education, health and transport services and improve law and order, drainage and waste management system.

Dozens of central Awami League and BNP leaders visited Comilla to campaign for party mayoral candidates.

Talking to The Daily Star over the phone yesterday, AL mayoral candidate Anjum Sultana Sima and BNP's Monirul Hoque Shakoo demanded the EC take effective measures to ensure free and fair polls.

They brought allegations of violating electoral code against each other.

Sima alleged the BNP nominee was using black money to secure votes, while Shakoo complained that AL men were obstructing his polls campaign.

Returning Officer Rakib Uddin Mondol said necessary measures were taken to hold the elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

Former Comilla municipality was upgraded to a city corporation in July 2011. The maiden polls to the corporation were held the following year, with Shakoo being elected as the mayor and Sima a ward councillor.

Currently, there are some 2.07 lakh voters in the city.