Election race heats up

The candidates of major political parties and independents stepped up their campaigns yesterday, the first weekend of the electioneering window, spreading out across cities and villages to woo voters ahead of the February 12 polls.

From busy streets to quiet lanes, aspirants and their supporters distributed leaflets, raised slogans and went door to door, appealing for votes with vision-filled promises. 

With posters banned for the first time, many say the festive mood is muted, though small processions through neighbourhoods and side streets have revived a sense of competition reminiscent of past elections.

“After a long hiatus, seeing different parties hold processions in our locality is refreshing,” said Rezaul Karim, a resident of Mirpur 10. “Finally, we are witnessing a real campaign and true competition.”

Friday prayers added rhythm to the campaign. In many areas, candidates and their teams gathered outside mosques to reach large groups of male voters as they streamed out after Juma prayers, handing out leaflets and exchanging greetings.

With just 19 days to go, the tempo is expected to grow even more relentless, in what is widely seen as the country’s first truly competitive election since 2008. Campaign teams are working tirelessly to ensure their candidates are visible everywhere.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed a rally at dawn at the Begum Anwara Degree College ground in Panchrukhi, Araihazar, Narayanganj. Later in the evening, he went to BRB Maidan in Bhasantek, part of the Dhaka-17 constituency, from where he is contesting. It includes the Cantonment area, where he spent a significant period of his life. 

He said people want change and solutions to their problems. If voted to power, the BNP will listen to public demands, he said. Freedom of movement and ensured security are essential to establishing good governance, Tarique added.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman flew from Dhaka to Syedpur and then travelled by helicopter to the Sugar Mill Ground in Panchagarh, where he addressed a rally. 

He said if the 10-party alliance is elected, five years would be enough “to change the face of northern Bangladesh”. He later addressed rallies in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Rangpur.

Alliance partner National Citizen Party’s Convener Nahid Islam campaigned in Shahjadpur of the Dhaka-11 constituency, from where he is contesting.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim launched his campaign in Narayanganj. Speaking at a rally in the Kajlarpar area of Jatrabari, he said a group has drawn up a blueprint to deceive people with colourful visions of power.

“Those who can betray even their own comrades cannot be trusted with the safety of Islam or the country,” he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir campaigned at Sholtohori Bazar in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.

Referring to communal harmony, he said, “Just as in the past Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians together built our society and our country, we want to move the country forward in the same way. We want to ensure equal security for all.”

Jamaat Secretary General and Khulna-5 candidate Mia Golam Porwar, speaking at street rallies in Dumuria and Phultala upazilas, said there is no alternative to ending an era of misrule, corruption and political repression.

Chattogram witnessed vibrant campaigning as candidates carried out door-to-door drives across several constituencies.

In Chattogram-11, BNP candidate Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury campaigned in Laldiar Char, saying that after 17 years people are finally ready to exercise their voting rights.

In Chattogram-9, Jamaat candidate AKM Fazlul Haque held a mass contact programme after Juma prayers at Kapasgola Jamtal Jame Mosque, pledging to work for organised urban development and justice.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, a candidate for Cox’s Bazar-1, addressed a street rally in Chakaria.

He said the people have regained ownership of the country and freed democracy from confinement. “Now that democracy must be strengthened so that everyone feels they are owners of this state. Therefore, on February 12, each of us must exercise our voting rights freely and independently,” he said. 

NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen campaigned in Rangpur-4 as the 10-party alliance candidate, saying that despite domestic and foreign conspiracies, people will bring the alliance to power.

In Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj), Azizur Rahman, an Ishapur Union BNP leader, is seeking votes for the party, even as his son Mahbub Alam is contesting as an NCP candidate. 

Mahbub, a frontline activist of the July uprising, is also the brother of former information adviser Mahfuj Alam.

This time, 1,981 candidates, including 249 independents, are contesting the polls. Campaigning will continue until 7:30am on February 10.

Alongside the general election, voters will also take part in a referendum on key constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and rebalancing state powers.

With the Awami League barred from contesting, analysts say the race is shaping up primarily as a contest between the BNP- and Jamaat-led alliances.

[Our correspondents in respective districts contributed to this report]