An environment-friendly campaign
When mayoral and councillor candidates of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls are decorating areas with posters and banners as part of their campaigns, Shaibal Das Suman stands as an exception.
Suman, the Awami League-backed candidate in Ward-21 (Jamal Khan area), announced in his verified Facebook page on January 8 that he would not hang posters or banners due to probable environmental hazards. He also declared that he will not campaign through loudspeakers to avoid sound pollution.
After visiting different areas of the ward -- including Cheragi Pahar Intersection, Hem Sen Lane, Askar Dighir Par, DC Hill, JM Sen By-lane and Momin Road -- on Wednesday, this correspondent found his announcement to be true.
The roads, lanes and by-lanes were decorated with posters and banners of mayoral and councillor candidates, but none were found mentioning Suman. Although campaigning through loudspeakers was ongoing, Suman's name was not heard.
Asked how he was campaigning, Suman, also former councillor of Ward-21, said he was doing so by going door-to-door and using digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
"In the past, I saw posters and banners were used for campaigning but were not removed properly after polls, posing environmental hazards," Suman told The Daily Star. "It made me concerned."
"I have observed that campaigning through loudspeakers made people suffer, especially babies, patients and students," he said. "It creates sound pollution most of the time."
By forgoing the conventional methods and using alternative means for campaigning, Suman is getting great response from voters, he said.
By not printing posters and banners nor using loudspeakers, Suman has saved money, and with that amount he decided to contribute to the treatment of 20 cancer patients who are going through financial difficulties.
"Some four to five patients have already contacted me after my announcement," he said. "I have sent their treatment documents to health professionals for verification." "I always want to be humanitarian regardless of whether I win or lose in the polls," Suman said.
"I believe people will love my efforts, and many more candidates in future polls elsewhere in the country would follow my steps to protect the environment."
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