The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

Voters, specially the newly registered young ones, have been showing more interest in franchising their rights to elect better and committed leadership through the December 29 polls everywhere in northern Bangladesh.

The authorities have taken adequate measures in holding the polls in a peaceful, impartial and free-fair and festive manner ensuring a sound law and order situation in the districts including the frontier areas.

Meanwhile, last-stage poll battles in all 72 seats with 317 candidates in the region has reached its highest peaks as the candidates and their supporters have been making their all possible efforts in attracting the common voters.

Most of the conscious and educated voters have apparently made their choice though some others are still undecided when the contest has been taking mostly bilateral shape almost everywhere between candidates of the major alliances.

Common voters including farmers, day- and farm-labourers and the young generation, are expecting sky-touching changes after the December 29 polls amid huge commitments made by the major alliances and their candidates.

The young and female voters are expecting huge changes and a better, competent, patriotic, dedicated, committed and educated leadership after the general elections to build a happy, prosperous, peaceful, corruption-free and democratic Bangladesh.

Such hopes and aspirations among the voters have apparently put most of the prospective candidates under tremendous pressure as they are really facing tough challenges in building a corruption-free society to fulfill the peoples' aspirations.

The electioneering goes on peacefully so far though the prospective candidates of the AL led Mohajote and BNP led 4-party Alliance and a few independent candidates were putting in their best efforts to ensure victory in their respective seats.

The competing candidates, leaders and workers of the alliances have put ultimate efforts for victories as election fever has further gripped the region after recent rallies addressed by Sheikh Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia and Alhaj HM Ershad in the region.

According to local political observers and common voters, neck and neck contests are expected between the candidates of the major alliances in most seats of the region excepting a fewer seats where the contests might be tri-lateral or quadrangle. Some special dimensions have been added to poll arena of the region where AL President Sheikh Hasina, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and JP Chairman Alhaj Hussein Muhammad Ershad are contesting.

Most of the constituencies have worn festive looks with massive round-the-clock campaigning by utilization of all legal means including postering, leaflet distribution , door-to-door visits, canvassing through loud speakers, rallies and processions.

Election Commission sources today told BSS that, out of the total 72 seats in Rajshahi Division, the BNP-led four-party alliance topped the list through bagging 49 seats, JP was in the second position with 14 seats and AL bagged nine seats in 2001 polls.

Observers said that it might be tough for the BNP-led alliances to repeat the last results this time because of the 'changed scenario', formation of Mohajote and other reasons when the Mohajote has put in its all-out efforts in capturing some more constituencies.

Among the candidates, former Prime Minister, AL chief and Mohajote leader Sheikh Hasina is competing in Rangpur-6, former Prime Minister, BNP chairperson and Four-party Alliance leader Begum Khaleda Zia in Bogra-6 & 7, former President and JP chairman HM Ershad in Rangpur-3 & Kurigram-2 and Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami in Pabna-1 seats in the region.

Local observers said, in Rangpur-6 seat, AL President Sheikh Hasina is in a better position to compete with BNP candidate Nur Mohammad Mandal though Kamruzzaman (CPB), Shahjahan Ali (IAB), Humayun Ijaj Levin (GF) are also contesting.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is in a better position against Mamtaj Uddin (AL), Mamunur Rashid (IAB), Abduallah Al Waki (BDB) and Saifuzzaman (BSD) in Bogra-6 and Altaf Ali (JP), Mesbahul Alam (BDB) and Shamsul Alam Dulu (BSD) in Bogra-7.

In Rangpur-3, former President and JP Chairman HM Ershad might easily win without notable challenges though Abdul Quayum Mandal (BNP), Abdul Kuddus (JSD), ATM Golam Mostafa (IAB), Sayed Ali (BKSJL), Sekandar Rahman Dudu (JSD), Shahadat Hossain (CPB) are in the race.

Besides, in Kurigram-2 seat, JP chairman HM Ershad has a better position against Tajul Islam Chowdhury (BNP) though Zahedul Huq Milu (BSD), Bhudev Chakrabarti (BDB), Mustafizur Rahman (IAB) and Sultan Ahmed (LDP) are contesting.

In Pabna-1, there might be tough contests between Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami and Mohajote candidate Shamsul Huque Tuku (AL) though Abdul Matin (IAB) and Rezaul Karim (NPP) are also in the fray.

According to observers, the Mohajote candidates could do better in greater Rangpur having 22 parliamentary seats, which is known to be the stronghold of JP (Ershad) while the 4-party alliance candidates would try to bag seats as much as possible.

On the other hand, they said that the results might be almost similar to that of the 2001 general elections in greater Bogra, stronghold of BNP, and there would be some possible changes in greater Rajshahi and Pabna districts comprising a total of 39 seats.

The AL-led Mohajote can jolt the Four-party Alliance in Dinajpur and there might be tough competitions between the Mohajote and Four-party Alliance candidates in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts in greater Dinajpur with 11 seats this time.