SADI MUHAMMAD ALOK and SHARIF M SHAFIQUE

The election in the Uttara area -- widely seen as a crucial gateway to the capital -- has drawn intense attention from the outset.

A palpable tension now mixes with the festive air of the election across the winding lanes of Uttara, Turag, Uttarkhan, and Dakshinkhan.

Candidates are campaigning throughout the Dhaka-18 constituency, invoking the legacy of long-standing street struggles and the July uprising.

The central theme of local conversations is a familiar promise: bridging the gap between the gleaming high-rises of Uttara and the deprivation in the surrounding neglected neighbourhoods.

Dhaka-18 comprises Wards 1, 17, and 43 through 54 of Dhaka North City Corporation, along with the Airport area.

It is a diverse constituency, home to the elite and middle class in Uttara Model Town and Basundhara, as well as large lower-middle and working-class populations in densely populated areas such as Khilkhet, Uttarkhan, and Dakshinkhan.

A walk through the constituency reveals streets choked with dust and waste.

Residents say many roads go under water during the monsoon, while unplanned construction contributes to chronic traffic congestion.

The rise of teen gangs and drug abuse in Uttara and Khilkhet has become a growing concern, alongside frequent shortages of gas and water in residential areas.

As the election draws near, the area is bustling with campaign activities.

Candidates are reaching out to voters, listening to grievances, and offering assurances.

SEE PAGE 9 COL 4