Former enclave people taste voting right

Campaign for union parishad (UP) elections is getting momentum in 16 unions under Panchagarh and Lalmonirhat districts ahead of the October 31 polls while enthusiasm of the newly included voters in former Indian enclaves (now part of Bangladesh territory) adds a new dimension to it.

The people of 36 former enclaves in eight unions under three upazilas of Panchagarh district are happy to get their right to vote for the first time through the UP elections.  

The candidates with their supporters are conducting door to door campaign and making different pledges to develop the areas and improve living standard of people, especially those in former enclave areas. 

During a visit on Saturday, our Thakurgaon correspondent Quamrul Islam Rubaiyat saw people engaged in lively discussions over the UP elections. 

"I feel happy as I am going to cast my vote for the first time in life," said Jyotish Chandra Roy, 60, of Garati village (a former enclave) in Haribhasa union of Panchagarh Sadar.

Former enclave people Bijoy Barman and Sona Mia, who have become voters for the first time, are contesting for the post of UP member from Ward No 1 in Hafizabad union of Sadar upazila.  

Of the 8,935 voters of 36 former enclaves in eight unions under Panchagarh, 1,025 people are in seven erstwhile enclaves in Hafizabad and Haribhasa unions in Sadar, 1,690 people in 23 enclaves in Moidandighi, Kajoldighi Kaliaganj, Barashashi and Marea unions under Boda and 6,220 voters in six former enclaves in Chilahati and Tepriganj unions under Debiganj upazila, official sources said.  

As many as 463 candidates including 39 for chairman posts, 326 for member posts and 98 for the posts of members reserved for women are contesting in the eight UPs.

District Election Officer Dewan Mohammad Sarwar Jahan said they are taking necessary measures to ensure a free, fair and credible UP election in the district.

In Lalmonirhat, electioneering in eight unions, including 59 former enclaves, gets momentum ahead of the October 31 polls in the areas of three upazilas under the district.

Our Lalmonirhat correspondent S Dillip Roy saw candidates of these unions are moving door to door to woo voters.

Thirty-one chairmen candidates, 288 member candidates and 118 candidates for the reserved seats for women are contesting at Kulaghat union in Lalmonirhat Sadar, Gotamari of Hatibandha and Jongra, Patgram, Sreerampur, Burimari, Kuchlibari and Jagotber of Patgram upazila.

There are 59 former enclaves -- two in Kulaghat union under Lalmonirhat Sadar, two in Gotamari union under Hatibandha, and 55 in Jongra, Kuchlibari, Burimari, Sreerampur, Patgram, Jagatber and Bawra unions under Patgram upazila, district election office sources said.

Of the total 10,019 people living in these former enclaves, 3850 people have been listed as voters, they said.

Ataur Rahman, 42, a voter of former enclave Bhitarkuti at Kulaghat union in Lalmonirhat Sadar, said, "Candidates are us for votes and giving promises for development in future. We are feeling happy as we will exercise our voting right for the first time on October 31."

“All the candidates have promises to me of giving widow or old age allowance card if they get elected,” said Hafiza Bewa, 68, at former enclave Bhitarkuti of Kulaghat union.

Both Shahjahan Ali and Idris Ali, Awami League and BNP nominated chairman candidate for Kulaghat union in Lalmonirhat Sadar, expressed optimism about winning with the support of former enclave people.

District Election Officer Fazlul Karim said tight security measures will be taken in the eight unions during before, during and after the polls.