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Will the voters show up?

Making Rajshahi polls participatory AL’s major challenge
ANWAR ALI
In the absence of BNP and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, the upcoming Rajshahi City Corporation election is now revolving around a single question: will the voters show up at the polls?
Seeking to ensure voters’ presence on the election day on June 21, the Awami League candidate AHM Khairuzzaman Liton is relying heavily on the efforts of councillor candidates who are campaigning throughout the city day and night, not only for their own aspirations, but also to inspire the voters to vote on election day, in order to present the polls as participatory.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission remains hopeful.
“Some parties have boycotted the election, but a mentionable number of councillor candidates are contesting. We hope the voters will go to the polling centres,” EC Rashida Sultana said in Rajshahi yesterday.
She was attending a day-long training programme for the presiding officers at the city’s Nanking Darbar Hall.
Meanwhile, Liton is also visiting door-to-door. He has assigned the newly-formed Rajshahi AL committees to persuade voters to participate in the upcoming election.
Speaking with The Daily Star, Liton expressed his commitment to achieving a 70 percent turnout in the upcoming election.
“Historically, voters from low- and middle-income groups have displayed a greater interest in participating on election day. My campaign team is focused on mobilising these specific demographics to ensure a high voter turnout,” he added.
Mohammad Ali Kamal, acting president of city AL, said, “Even before the official commencement of the election campaign, the Awami Leaue has conducted over 80 meetings with various professional groups, trade organisations, and development associations.”
“During these meetings, we have encouraged all attendees to visit the designated vote centres.”
Kamal, who is also the convener of Liton’s election campaign committee, mentioned that party’s women activists are also actively engaging in door-to-door visits to further promote voter turnout.
Nurul Islam Sarker Aslam, a key member of Liton’s campaign committee, said, “The challenging weather conditions may discourage voters at some places, where voters may need to walk more than one kilometre to reach their designated polling stations.”
WEAKER RIVALS
The mayoral election features other candidates besides Liton, namely Saiful Islam Swapan from the Jatiya Party and Latif Anwar from the Jaker Party.
However, Liton’s dominance in the campaign is evident when comparing various aspects of their activities.
Liton’s campaign utilises approximately 40 loudspeakers to convey their message, while Swapan and Anwar have been using only four loudspeakers each. Furthermore, Liton has established over 30 election camps whereas Swapan has six and Anwar has just one.
The city streets are filled with an abundance of posters and banners promoting Liton, while the campaign materials for the other mayoral candidates are scarce in comparison.
It is worth noting that although Murshid Alam, the candidate from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has a valid candidacy, he announced his decision to boycott the polls following an attack on the party chief during the Barishal City Corporation election.
While the BNP is not participating in the election, 16 BNP members are still contesting for councillor posts in Rajshahi. Additionally, nine candidates from Jamaat are also taking part in the election.
The voting will be held on June 21 at 155 vote centres, 80 of which are being considered as “important” by the EC and law enforcers.