Electoral campaign of BNP in Chattogram started to become more visible since yesterday, as leaders and activists of the party said they were feeling secure after the army started patrolling in the district.

Significant changes were seen in BNP campaigns, both in the city and different upazilas, particularly through the use of loudspeakers.

Some CNG-run auto-rickshaws were seen yesterday campaigning through loudspeakers for BNP candidate of Chattogram-9 Shahadat Hossain in Jamal Khan Road, Kazir Dewri, Nur Ahmed Road, Chatteshwari Road and Anderkilla areas in the city.

BNP standing committee member and candidate for Chattogram-11 constituency Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the situation was changing after deployment of army. “Our activists are now feeling safer,” he said.

The situation also changed outside the city. BNP candidates and activists earlier alleged that they came under attacks by AL activists while campaigning. When contacted yesterday, many of them said the situation has started to change after the army deployment.

Rizwan-ul-Haque, Children Affairs Secretary of Patiya upazila unit BNP, said they felt more secure after the deployment of army.

“In our constituency [Chattogram-12], ruling party men used to constantly threaten us when we went for campaigning. They removed our posters and banners,” he said, adding, “But from today, AL men are not seen around our campaign.”

Md Manjur Alam, an activist of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Chandanaish upazila, said, “We could not stay in electoral camps of Oli Ahmed, our party chairman and Jatiya Oikyafront candidate in Chattogram-14, due to police harassment and threats from ruling party men earlier.”

“From today, we feel secure to stay in camps,” he said.

Contacted, Azim Ullah Bahar, BNP candidate in Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari), said after the deployment of army, he and his activists felt more secure than before.

“People in my area told me that the army personnel were asking them why posters and banners were not seen in many areas of the upazila. They also asked them why campaign of all parties is not visible,” said Bahar, adding, “The army personnel said the government would cooperate with all candidates in their campaigning.”

“It's a very positive sign,” he said, adding, “I hope the situation will change more in the next day or two.”

Echoing the same, BNP candidate in Chattogram-6 (Raozan) Jasim Uddin Sikder said, “My activists, who were compelled to leave the area upon threat from AL men, are now coming back... they are now more confident about their security.”

“My campaign is boosting up,” he said.

LDP leader and Jatiya Oikyafront candidate in Chattogram-7 (Rangunia) Nurul Alam said a change in the whole situation in the upazila was seen after the army deployment.

“AL men were constantly threatening our activists earlier... They could not go for campaigning in many areas,” he said. “My activists went to many areas without hindrance yesterday.”