The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

The common people in the greater districts of Rangpur and Dinajpur are almost in unison for electing honest and efficient upazila chairmen and vice-chairman in upcoming elections to augment the process of development.

The enthusiastic people are now busy talking about the probable chairmen and vice-chairmen candidates for 58 posts in all eight northern districts under greater Rangpur and Dinajpur.

They want educated, honest, corruption-free, dynamic and patriotic people to be elected as the upazila chairmen and vice- chairmen for ensuring smooth development of the rural Bangladesh.

At hats and bazaars, tea stalls, saloons, markets, hotels, restaurants, bus stands, terminals, rail stations and ferryghats, the common people are talking with each other about the probable candidates for the upazila elections.

They have been putting special emphasis on honesty, educational qualification and efficiency of the probable candidates irrespective of their political belongings.

The locals are of the opinion that political parties this time might have less influence in nominating upazila chairmen and vice-chairmen as they would be busy selecting MP candidates.

This time, a large number of independent candidates are expected to contest the third upazila polls and most of the probable candidates and their supporters have already started campaigning in the respective areas.

Candidates having political identities are getting support from their local leaders and activists while the independent candidates are making contacts mainly with the local elite, professionals, relatives, friends and the common voters with huge enthusiasm.

Acting Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) of Rangpur Regional Election Office responsible for these eight districts Shubhash Chandra Sarker today told BSS that preparations are afoot to hold both the polls peacefully.

The DEC Office sources said that a total of 91,69,449 voters will cast their votes for the post of 58 upazila chairmen in all 58 upazilas of Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur districts.

In Rangpur, a total of 1,73,722 voters will cast votes for the upazila chairman post in Gangachara upazila, 79,896 in Taraganj, 1,70,943 in Badarganj, 4,04,834 in Sadar, 1,35,110 in Kawnia, 1,92,261 in Pirgachha, 3,14,060 in Mithapukur and 2,36,822 in Pirganj upazilas.

In Kurigram, a total of 1,37,818 voters will cast votes for the post of upazila chairman in Bhurungamari upazila, 2,27,044 voters in Nageswari, 96,652 in Fulbari, 1,80,979 in Sadar, 1,12,454 in Rajarhat, 2,41,170 in Ulipur, 71,730 in Chilmari, 1,14,404 in Roumari and 42,410 voters in Rajibpur upazilas.

In Nilphamari, 1,38,106 voters will cast their votes for the chairman post in Domar upazila, 1,50,368 in Dimla, 1,86,709 in Jaldhaka, 1,48,270 in Kishoreganj, 2,44,277 in Sadar and 1,45,865 voters in Syedpur upazilas.

In Lalmonirhat, a total of 1,40,271 voters will cast their votes for the post of Kaliganj upazila chairman, 1,28,678 in Aditmari, 1,98,228 in Sadar, 1,27,575 in Hatibandha and 1,15,494 voters will cast their votes in Patgram upazila.