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representatives are talking to us,” he said. “Business is a bit slow now, but we hope things will improve once a new government is formed.”

Key contenders in Dhaka-20 include BNP’s Md Tamiz Uddin and National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Nabila Tasnid, who’s supported by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance.

Other candidates are Md Ashraf Ali of Khelafat Majlish, Ahsan Khan of Jatiya Party, Helal Uddin Ahammed of AB Party, and Md Arju Mia of Bangladesh Jasad.

NCP candidate Nabila Tasnid, a young engineer, is campaigning on foot, walking through villages, fields, and narrow rural paths with her supporters. She listens to residents’ concerns and outlines her plans. She said local Jamaat activists are fully cooperating with her campaign and have positively accepted her leadership.

“I am getting a very positive response,” she told The Daily Star. “People want to see youth and ordinary citizens represented in parliament, moving beyond traditional politics.”

She added that her campaign is not limited to the youth; she is receiving widespread support from the elderly, the educated class, workers, and farming families.

If elected, Tasnid pledged to form a women’s cell in every union to provide legal and financial support to victims of violence, reduce school and college dropout rates among girls, introduce modern vocational training, and establish specialised hospitals for mothers and children.

She also promised to ensure the presence of government doctors at their workplaces. “I have my plans for Dhamrai. Even if I am not elected, I will continue working for this place on a personal level,” she said.

BNP candidate Md Tamiz Uddin, president of Dhamrai Upazila BNP, is also running a busy and active campaign, with BNP, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal activists reaching out across the constituency.

Campaigners are highlighting proposals including “Family Cards” and “Farmer Cards”.

Shamsul Islam, senior joint general secretary of Dhaka district BNP and general secretary of Dhamrai upazila BNP, said, “Our workers are visiting every household, and the response is unprecedented.”

“People have not been able to vote freely for a long time. They are eager to cast their ballots now.”

He described Tamiz Uddin as a popular and widely accepted figure, noting his three terms as upazila chairman and his current role on the BNP’s National Executive Committee. “There are no allegations of corruption or irregularities against him.”

He expressed confidence in the victory of the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol in the constituency.

He further remarked, “The electoral environment has been excellent so far. There are no obstacles to campaigning; we are maintaining a very tolerant and respectful attitude toward all opponents.”

“We have struggled for 17 long years to restore people’s voting rights, so we will gladly accept whoever the people choose.”

Dhaka-20 has 3,76,639 voters -- 1,87,835 men, 1,88,802 women, and two hijra voters.