For some, it's also a money-making opportunity
With election to Barisal City Corporation less than two weeks away, campaigning is going on in full swing. Not just candidates, their supporters are also holding rallies, bringing out processions and going door-to-door to woo voters.
The election, scheduled to be held on July 30, also brought opportunities for many to make a quick buck by working for the candidates.
These part-timers distribute leaflets in different city areas in support of their candidates, help people with their voter serial numbers and even explain to the city dwellers about the election pledges.
“We usually start working around 10:30am and work till 2:00pm,” said Bithi, a university student. “I distribute leaflets in Kaunia area and talk to people.”
Each part-timer makes around Tk 200 to Tk 300 per shift, said many of them.
Shima Ghosh also works in the same area. “I work from 3:00pm to 7:00pm.”
She was carrying her son in her arms. “I have no other option but to bring my child along. The money helps me support my family,” she added.
According to locals, around 15,000 people from all walks of life are working part-time during the election month. Most of them are women.
Local Awami League and BNP leaders, however, denied engaging them. They said those involved in campaigning were their activists.
But locals and election workers said AL and BNP have engaged most of the part-timers.
Meanwhile, many locals also alleged that at times, all these different ways of wooing the voters were getting exasperating as people continue to hand them leaflets or talk about candidates and their promises.
Vote would be cast in 123 centres under 30 wards. Each ward has election camps while some candidates have multiple camps. Barisal City Corporation has an area of 58 square kilometers, with a total of 2,42,166 voters.
Rafikul Alam, secretary of Shujan in Barisal, said people should not get influenced by all these campaigning methods. They should vote for the honest and credible candidate.
“If candidates continue to hire people for propagation, their election cost would increase. As a result, they would resort to unfair means to recoup the money.”
SARWAR ANNOUNCES MANIFESTO
BNP-led 20-party alliance's candidate Mojibor Rahman Sarwar yesterday announced a 28-point election manifesto at BNP office on Sadar Road.
In the manifesto, he promised to make the rivers and canals navigable and mitigate waterlogging problem.
The manifesto also contains some popular citizen demands including water and sewerage system development, expansion of city roads, construction of embankment, bridge and beautifying the city.
He also promised to construct an export processing zone, rehabilitate the hawkers, and improve facilities for women, children and senior citizens.
SERNIABAT FOR DEVELOPMENT
AL-backed candidate Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah visited different city areas yesterday and spoke to locals about their problems. He assured the voters that if elected mayor he would work relentlessly for the city's development.
He said he too wants a peaceful and fair election. “I don't want a questionable election. I want to become mayor by getting your votes.”
“You [voters] can choose any mayoral candidate, it's your freedom of choice,” he added. “I want your love and affection first, and then vote. I will always be with you [people] even if I'm not elected.”
CAMPAIGNING CONTINUES
Meanwhile, all mayoral candidates spent a busy day yesterday campaigning.
Manisha Chakrabarty of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal and Abul Kalam Azad of CPB met locals in different areas. They pledged to give highest importance to people's rights and rid the administration of corruption.
Iqbal Hossain Taposh of Jatiya Party and Obaidur Rahaman Mahabub of IAB also sought support from voters in different areas.
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