FROM PAGE 5

Speaking about the election atmosphere, Habiba said the contest lacks a level playing field. “In football there are 11 players. I am playing without a goalkeeper -- you can understand what that means,” she said.

She said she finds encouragement when voters respond positively as she asks for their support. “I left my own daughter in Dhaka. Daughters are closest to their fathers -- that’s why I came out to seek votes for mine,” she added.

Habiba also spoke about the deployment of army personnel in Babuganj and Muladi. “I welcomed it for the safety and security of the people and the protection of polling centres,” she said.

“People are our strength -- people are my strength,” she said. “I have appealed to them, saying: I am your daughter. Please give your vote to my father and help bring him back to you.”

Later in the day, she was seen travelling by trawler along the banks of the Sugandha river, continuing her door-to-door outreach in riverside villages as part of the campaign.