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Election campaigns in districts dull

By Mizan Ali back from Sunamgaqj
Feb 9: With less than a week to go for the forthcoming general elections, campaigns for the individual candidates seem to be very dull hardly showing any enthusiasm in SunamganJ town and its neighbouring areas.
The Bazaar crossing of the town, a popular site for electioneering activities, stands desolate with no election speech, frenzied campaign by activists or loudspeakers blaring the names of the candidates.
The town's street-side walls, are clean this time with no posters or graffitis portraying the election symbols of the local candidates. No candidates were seen to have established their election offices in the town and its adjoining areas.
In some places, workers of some candidates are seen canvassing for the candidates through loudspeakers and calling out the voters to cast ballots in their favour.
The canvassing was rather drab and colourless, said some student activists, pointing it out that no candidates so far had organised any rally or procession.
The absence of traditional rival contestants in the respective constituencies has made the process of elections lifeless, he added.
In most of the areas the contestants were organising street-corner meetings and discussions with the heads of the localities.
"Spontaneity of the people is missing." said Mesbah. a student activist. "This is mainly because the elections have been rejected by the mainstream opposition parties." he said.
Residents pointed out that the enthusiasm of the people was missing because of the following reasons:
• First, the mainstream opposition parties were not contesting it:
• Secondly, because of the month of Ramadan people are unwilling to take part in canvassing or in the electioneering meeting;
• Thirdly, failure of the local leadership to provide any guideline of socio-economic activities following the elections.
Some political observers were apprehensive whether the outcome of the elections would be acceptable to the donor community.
According to them, the contestants of this "dull elections" were stressing more on Justifying the "constitutional obligations to hold the general elections," than putting forward any package of socio-economic development projects.
The strategy of the oppo-*ttion politicalparties in this region -seems to be on proving the disillusionment of the people from the electioneering process.
On the other hand ...the ruling party is attempting to maximise the participation of the people to ensure the acceptance of the elections by the voters.
"We want to show it to the people that the elections under a party government can be free and fair," said Fazlul Huq Aspia, the BNP convenor of tne district.
People would resist any attempt of subverting the elections. said Aspia. adding that they were trying to ensure the participation of the people in the forthcoming elections.
According to the local Jubo Dal leaders, the number of polling stations in the district has been increased compared to the previous elections for the benefit of the people.
Zalnul Jakerin. two times Upazilla chairman, said. People have become hostage of uncertainty due to the lingering political impasse."
He expects low turnout of the voters. If the polls were held on schedule. According to him. people in general were peaceful and did not want to get themselves involved in conflicts.
"This is for the first time in the history of the sub-continent the elections are bqlng held in Ramadan," said ATM
Saleh the district chief of the JSD (Inu).
Out of five parliamentary seats in SunamganJ district the official BNP candidates in two constituencies are faced with the rivalry of their own party.
Few months back, the SunamganJ branch of the BNP was reorganised in which some of the founding BNP leaders were ousted from the party. One such former BNP leader Shaflqul Chowdhury is contesting against the convenor and the official BNP candidate Fazlul Huq Aspia in SunamganJ town.
Aspia. however, told this correspondent that the party at its local level would be taking disciplinary actions against the rivals.
In the meantime reports sent by our correspondent from Chuadanga says: Preelection campaigns has totally died down since Wednesday evening. There
were no campaigns In favour of any candidates fearing attacks by the opponent group members. Loud speakers stayed off the streets as well as the processionists.
People in general are avoiding places like city centre and other busy areas fearing clashes.
Meanwhile, BNP candidates were not seen on the streets since last three days. Most of them chose to more about after dark trying to avoid meeting enemies. A tense situation has been prevailing following burning of the district election office last Wednesday.
Our correspondent from Jessore adds: Several rounds of bullets were fired .and six to 10 bombs were exploded Friday afternoon near Daratana Square by the members of the opposition group protesting the forthcoming elections to be held on February 15. No one was. however, hurt In the incident.
Police and other law enforcing agents were deploy in the area to calm the situation.
In the meantime, election campaign in the district were . almost stopped here. Miking, traditional processions and meetings were not noticed since last Wednesday.
Shoppers and shopkeepers are trying to stay away from the city centre fearing more violence in the coming days.
BNP candidates were not moving freely anymore. Most of the remain confined to their residence since violence erupted here last week.
In the meantime, anti-election procession is gaining momentum all over the district. Hundreds of supporters were seen giving antl-election slogans In and around the city centre Thursday evening.
Our Correspondents Jrom Jhenidah andNatore add: Election campaigns in the district in last two days turned out to be very dull as most activists stopped mik-
ing and postering in the respective areas. In Jhenidah last night a meeting was held to discuss election day arrangement at polling centres by the school teachers. A number of teachers at the meeting reportedly refused to attend polling centre on the day in fear of lack of security.
Our correspondent from Natore says only BNP candidates were noticed to campaign In rural areas. Independent candidates stayed off the arena.
Our Correspondent from Sherpur district adds: Two BNP candidates' vehicles were partially damaged while campaigning in-Jheniagatl and Nakla of The district Friday afternoon by opposition party activists.
No one was. howevet. hurt.