Narayanganj gears up for by-poll

Speculators will not have to wait long to find out who will have the last laugh in the Narayanganj-5 by-poll.

As the district remains tense over the recent abduction and killing of seven men, around 350,000 voters are set to decide whether the Osman family will regain the constituency or former Awami League leader SM Akram will wrest control from them.

The seat fell vacant after Nasim Osman, elected uncontested in the Jan 5 polls, died on Apr 30.

The ruling Awami League, which enjoys a two-third majority in Parliament, decided not to contest the poll leaving its partner in government Jatiya Party (JP) to exploit the vacuum.

Observers say the battle of ballots is likely to take place between JP's Selim Osman, Nasim's younger brother, and independent candidate Akram.

Others in the fray are Krishak Sramik Janata League's Shafiqul Islam Delowar and another independent aspirant Mamun Sirajul Majid.

Akram, a former MP from the seat in 2001, left the party during the previous city corporation poll as central leaders did not endorse Selina Hayat Ivy.

Osman's brother Shamim Osman, who lost the city polls, is currently an Awami League MP from Narayanganj.

The Election Commission (EC) says "necessary measures" have been taken to ensure a free and fair poll but the two leading candidates are already pointing fingers at each other.

Akram on Wednesday alleged Osman was trying to "occupy" the polling stations and doubted chances of a fair election.

Osman retorted saying his rival was "lying".

"However, I'd like to ask the administration to look into these false and baseless allegations," he told reporters.

The EC has warned that no-one trying to create disorder will be spared.

A three-tier security arrangement has been made with nearly 4,500 BGB, RAB, police and Ansar personnel to ensure safety of the voters.

One thousand RAB members, along with dog squads and bomb disposal teams, will be on the ground, the elite police unit's spokesperson told reporters in Narayanganj on Wednesday.

Narayanganj police superintendent said mobile courts would be there as well.


At a glance

# Voters: 3,42,405 (male 1,74,311 and female 1,68,094)

# Number of polling centres: 141, polling stations: 674

# Candidates -- JP's AKM Selim Osman (symbol: plough), independent candidate SM Akram (symbol: pineapple), Krishak Sramik Janata League's Shafiqul Islam Delowar (symbol: towel), and independent aspirant Mamun Sirajul Majid (symbol: shrimp)

# Law-enforcers: 19 personnel per general station, 39 personnel each at important 98 stations. Total police mobile team 22, striking team 4. RAB mobile team 18

# Four BGB platoons for mobile team and striking force. Three coastguard platoons including a team of divers