The mayoral candidates of the two major political parties in Narayanganj city polls are focusing on new voters and women voters as over 70000 new voters have been added in the voter list this year.
A supersize turnout of women and new voters would be nearly enough win the election slated for December 22, they think.
They are also focusing on national issues to woo voters during electioneering. The ruling party leaders are bringing to the fore the BNP-Jamaat's violence before and after the January 5, 2014 parliamentary polls. BNP leaders, however, are pointing to the one-sided January 5 elections.
The Awami League (AL) is giving all-out effort to ensure victory for its candidate, Selina Hayat Ivy. The BNP is also desperate to ensure victory for its candidate Sakhawat Hossain Khan.
Both candidates are using facebook and twitters for their election campaign.
Printing presses in Narayanganj now have their hands full making posters of contestants of the NCC election with election symbols. The press owners are back to business with preparing different campaign materials like posters, banners, digital banners, handbills and stickers for the candidates.
The BNP is asking for deploying army for fair election, BNP has decided to join the balloting this time; Election Commissioner told journalist. "The situation does not call for army deployment," he said.
During sudden visit at Narayanganj circuit house on Wednesday Election Commissioner Brigadier General Md Zabed Ali (retd.) said, "Every steps will be initiated to ensure free and fair elections."
The Awami League has nominated incumbent mayor Selina Hayat Ivy, who will run with the party's symbol 'boat'. The BNP has named its Narayanganj City unit General Secretary Sakhawat Hossain Khan.
Khan, a former president of the Narayanganj District Bar Association, represents one of the plaintiffs in the cases over the 2014 murder of seven persons, including a senior lawyer and a city councilor.
The EC had always been reluctant to deploy Army for local government polls, but it had done so for the last general election.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia recently called for judicial powers for the army, which has drawn criticism from many quarters.
The top brass of the AL, including party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is closely monitoring the party's activities.
Calling upon the voters to elect her, Ivy said, "I hope the residents of Narayanganj will re-elect me, and give me a chance to develop the city further.
Shakhawat said he wants to have faith in the EC and urged it to step up measures for holding free and fair elections.
But when final offer was sought under "request for proposal (RFP)", only Daewoo responded on just one block, DS-12.
