Khulna goes to ‘challenging’ city corporation election Tuesday

Khulna City Corporation is going to election on Tuesday with all eyes on the southwestern metropolis as it is taking place some seven months before the parliamentary polls.

The vote brings challenges for three key players. The opposition BNP is out to prove that public support for the government is at its lowest, the ruling Awami League is desperate to show it still enjoys a great deal of public confidence while the Election Commission will try to demonstrate efficiency.

With around half a million voters in the city, Khulna is now at the centrestage of politics after the elections to the Gazipur City Corporation have been deferred to June 26.

The major political parties are fighting for the mayor’s post with their own symbols, but the main battle will be between the Awami League’s boat and the BNP’s paddy sheaf.

The mayoral runners of both parties are no less formidable than the other in local politics, which promises the vote interesting.

Despite the congenial electoral environment, civil rights organisation Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik’s Khulna chapter leader Qudrat-E-Khuda fears violence among the voters.

Awami League candidate and former mayor Talukder Abdul Khalek is banking on the development the city has gone through during his term.

His conducts, however, have made some of his supporters doubt his chances. Khalek had to resign as MP of Bagerhat to fight the civic elections.

The BNP’s Nazrul Islam Manju is an organising secretary of the party’s central committee.

The party ditched current Mayor Moniruzzaman Monir, who defeated Khalek in the last polls in 2013, following criticisms over his ‘inactivity’.

The Election Commission is ready to hold the voting at 289 centres from 8am to 4pm.

Border Guard Bangladesh personnel are patrolling the streets with other law-enforcing agencies.

All election activities are centred at the control room set up at Sonadanga Divisional Women’s Sport Complex.

There are 31 wards for general councillors and 10 reserved for women in Khulna City.

Five candidates are gunning for the mayor’s office, 148 for general councillor and 39 for women councillor posts.

Electronic voting machines will be used at two polling stations.

Returning Officer Yunus Ali said they have taken measures to ensure security and urged the voters to cast their ballots without fear.

Many voters said national politics will be at play in the Khulna civic polls alongside local issues.

Fair Election Monitoring Alliance President Munira Khan told bdnews24.com: “With the national election ahead, people want to see the EC’s sincerity and capability.”

Its image will get brighter among voters, parties and candidates if the EC can keep the Khulna polls environment conducive until the end. “It’s very much important for them,” she said.

Election Working Group Director Abdul Alim agreed.

“As the Khulna election is being held on party lines, it will give the people taste of what to come,” he said, referring to the general election and polls to four more city corporations this year.

The EC also understands the task facing it.

“We want to send a message through Khulna that we will always hold fair elections,” EC Secretary Helal Uddin said.