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Dhaka slums under vigil

Rival candidates active in thwarting vote buying bid

Julfikar Ali Manik
Thirty-year-old Nurul Islam was standing casually with some friends at the entry to a Mohammadpur slum on the eve of election. No-one would suspect they were in fact ‘guarding’ the slum So that the rival candidate's men could not "buy" votes.
"We have installed many check posts here. Our men will stand on guard and patrol the slum to check any move to buy votes," he said yesterday afternoon.
His associate Jamal said they were working for Awami League candidate Jahangir Kabir Nanok of Dhaka-13 constituency.
"We have directives from the leaders to stay alert all night longuntil voting ends tomorrow." Nurul said.
Such an organised move was not visible from BNP candidate Moazzem Hossain Alai's campaign But some slum dwellers supporting Alai claimed BNP campaigners arc also vigilant to foil any attempt to buy votes.
Recalling past experiences a number of slum dwellers said electioneering is totally di fferen t this year. Many of (hem said campaigners of some candidates distributed cash, and clothes among the voters in 2001 election.
"But this time we did not get anything," said Shamsunnah ar of the slum.
Many others echoed her saying candidates gave Tk 300-500 to each person besides distributing saree, lungi and T-shirts in the previous election.
The Election Commission has barred all candidates from distributing even T-shirts with their photographs, names and symbols. But this was a common practice earlier.
Buying votes in the slums is also an old practice in the country's election.
The law-enforcement agencies yesterday arrested some leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami in Nilphamari for distributing money among the slum dwellers.
Slum dwellers said usually the candidates start distributing money or clothing one or two days ahead of polls, especially at the night before polls.
"That is why we would continue our vigilance in the slum all night long," said Jamal.
Slum dwellers on Karwan Bazar railway land said they have been registered as voters for the first time as national ID card is needed for a citizen. "So the candidates in Dhaka-11 constituency visited our Slum but none gave us anything," said a slum dweller.
Most of the slum dwellers however said all they want is a sharp decrease in essentials' prices.
Distribution of money to buy vote was off the campaign so far, but slum dwellers had some other way to earn a little.
Many slum dwellers, including teenagers, earned some money by joining the election processions.
Masum, 17, who lives at Rayer Bazar Poolpar slum, said he took part in 10-12 processions for BNP and four to five for AL candidates.
"Sometimes I was paid Tk 50 for each procession and sometimes the amount was less. Organisers of the processions are known as our senior brothers at the slum. They gave us money for snacks and drinks," said Masum, a carpenter.
Another teenager Saddam Hossain said he took part in some processions for AL candidates and earned Tk 400.
The same scene was seen at Begunbari slum built on stilt in Tejgaon. Some people, especially the young, pocketed some money by attending election rallies.
Rahatan, who could not even tell her age [she looks like over 40). said, "We took part in a BNP procession yesterday (Saturday) and we walked a long way."
She added, "We went to collect money last night from the person who promised to pay us, but he said he did not get the money from his leaders yet."