Campaigning continues during Eid

Aspiring candidates for the upcoming Barisal City Corporation (BCC) election not only spent time with their family members during the Eid holidays, but also exchanged greetings with party men and voters of their respective constituencies.

On Eid day Saturday, most of the candidates attended the Eid congregation at Hemayet Uddin Eidgah Maidan in Barisal city.

Soon afterwards, they became busy greeting voters and party members.

Meanwhile, the candidates are also passing days in anticipation as to who would get their respective party's nod.

Jahid Faruk Shamim, an aspiring mayoral candidate from Awami League, said, “I think I will get the nomination and others will support me.”

“I want to assure the city dwellers… I would work to solve the waterlogging crisis and make the city corporation more functional,” he said.

AL Barisal city unit Joint Secretary Serniabat Sadik Abdullah, another aspirant, said, “The Barisal city committee [Awami League] has recommended me to the central committee. But, if anyone else is nominated, I will support him/her.”

He also exchanged greetings with party activists at his residence in Kalibari Road area.

Iqbal Hossain Tapos of Jatiya Party also celebrated Eid with party members and well-wishers. “If I'm elected mayor, I will work for developing the city,” he added.

While greeting voters and party activists, BNP's Barisal district (south) unit President Ebaydul Haque Chan said, “In the last election, I had to withdraw my candidacy on party request. I'm hopeful of getting nominated this year.”

“BNP is more popular here and the ruling party can try to manipulate the election results like Khulna polls,” he alleged.

Bilkis Jahan Shirin, another BNP aspirant, demanded army deployment to ensure a fair election.

Dr Manisha Chakraborty, a mayoral aspirant from Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, said, “We want a free and fair election.”

According to the Election Commission, the last date for submitting nomination paper is June 28 while deadline for withdrawing candidacy is July 10. The BCC polls are scheduled for July 30. As many as 2,42,166 voters under 30 wards are expected to cast votes at 127 polling centres.

Meanwhile, at least 54 aspirants have so far collected nomination forms for the election.