Long-awaited election campaign kicks off in Barishal

 
BARISHAL, Jan 23: Campaigning for the long-awaited 13th parliamentary elections has officially begun across Barishal and the wider southern region, with candidates launching their efforts from Thursday night.

A total of 123 candidates are contesting in 21 constituencies across Barishal Division. In Barishal district's six seats, 41 candidates remain in the race after seven withdrew their nominations. This election is expected to see the BNP facing Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan as its main rivals in the region.

Following the allocation of election symbols on Wednesday, most candidates began their campaigns on Thursday afternoon with prayers. In Barishal-5, BNP candidate Mujibur Rahman Sarwar launched his campaign at the party office, while Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB)'s senior leader Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim began his campaign on the nearby Town Hall grounds.

Despite leaving the 10-Party Alliance, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Moazzem Hossain Helal has stepped aside in support of IAB's contender in Barishal-5. Party sources say IAB's chief, Mufti Syed Mohammad Rezaul Karim (Pir of Charmonai), will address a rally in Barishal on 5 February.

BNP sources confirmed that party chairman Tarique Rahman will address a rally at Barishal Bell Park on 27 January, a day later than originally scheduled. This will mark his first visit to Barishal in nearly two decades. Rahman last spoke in the city in 2005 and 2006 as the party's joint secretary general. Preparations are already underway, with the rally set to begin at 2:30pm and Rahman expected to speak around 4:45pm.

On 12 February, more than 2.28 million voters in Barishal district will cast their ballots across 833 polling centres and 5,197 booths. Of these, over 1.12 million are women, while 20 voters are registered as third gender.

To ensure smooth conduct of the polls, the Election Commission has appointed 2,838 presiding officers and nearly 55,000 polling staff. Security will be reinforced with 20,000-22,000 law enforcement personnel, including the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), who will maintain round-the-clock patrols. Authorities have also pledged uninterrupted electricity supply to polling centres and heightened security in surrounding areas.