Rajshahi Correspondent

According to the announcement of the Election Commission, Puthia Upazila Parishad election of Rajshahi is going to be held in the second phase on May 21.

In the second phase of the Upazila Parishad elections, the candidates started campaigning immediately after the allotment of symbols on Thursday.

Started public relations. In addition to pulling the posters of their respective symbols, the campaign is also going on in the mike.

Candidates are taking various steps to attract the attention of voters. From the village to the bazaar and even in the hotel restaurant of the neighborhood, there is discussion and criticism about the acceptance of the candidates. The local voter is analyzing the past and present of the candidates.

This year, 3 heavyweight candidates are contesting in the Puthia upazila elections. Three of them are Awami League leaders. Since no one has been nominated from the party, everyone is contesting the elections as independents. Everyone will move to the election field after receiving the symbol. After getting the symbol, the current Upazila Parishad Chairman GM Hira Bachchu (Motorcycle) is busy going to the remote areas of the Upazila to hold his authority as the Chairman of the Upazila Parishad.

Rajshahi District Awami League Organizing Secretary Abdus Samad Mollah (Pineapple) is officially plowing the fields in the upcoming elections. Going to voters day and night asking for votes for himself. Former student leader and former organizing secretary of district Awam League Ahsan ul Haq Masood (Horse) is also in the field. This time, Bangladesh Awami League is not supporting any symbol or specific candidate to make the upazila parishad elections participatory. Using this opportunity, the candidates are capitalizing on their popularity in the elections. Voters think that they should come out victorious.

Since the announcement of the schedule, there is a mood of voting throughout the upazila. The campaign is going on in a festive atmosphere. As people of all classes and professions participate simultaneously in the national election festival, people of all ages and all classes of professions have also joined the voting field. Candidates and their campaign supporters are running from door to door for voters. They are asking for votes starting from mass communication and going door to door. Various promises are also being made by road meetings. They are appearing in various religious programs in school-college-madrasa playgrounds and making promises. Not only in the field, but also through social media, Facebook, and other social media, campaigning for voting has spread.

Speaking to several voters of the upazila on the condition of anonymity, it is known that the current chairman is a very strong candidate. But since there is no party election or symbol election this time, it will be a little difficult for him to come out. Still, he has his acceptance as the running chairman. They also said that on the other hand, Abdus Samad Mollar, the organizing secretary of the district Awami League, has a good reputation throughout the district and upazila. He played an important role in winning the boat in the last national elections. Voters said that if he evaluates the activities of the past days, the chances of his winning in this election are high.

Besides, former student leader and former organizing secretary of District Awam League Ahsan ul Haque Masud is also plowing throughout the upazila. Some party leaders are working with him. They expressed the opinion that as an A.League leader who has emerged from Chhatra League, he needs to be given a chance at last. On the other hand, 3 candidates for the post of upazila vice chairman are in the electoral field after receiving symbols. They are - Abdul Matin Mukul (glasses), Fazle Rabbi Murad (tubewell), Jamal Uddin (lock) and 3 candidates will compete for the post of female vice chairman. They are Mousumi Rahman (electric fan), Parizan Begum (football), Shabnaz Akhtar (laughter).

The Upazila Election Office is in a strict position ahead of the upcoming Upazila Parishad elections. Puthia Upazila Election Officer Sushmita Roy informed that immediate action will be taken if any kind of election code of conduct is violated. Meanwhile, Puthia upazila executive officer AKM Noor Hossain (Nirjhar) said that the upcoming upazila parishad elections will be held in a fair, impartial and happy environment. The administration will maintain an environment where the voters can vote for the candidate of their choice.

Incidentally, voting will be held in Puthia upazila on May 21 (Tuesday). The total number of voters in this upazila is 1 lakh 82 thousand 1 people. Among them, there are 90 thousand 136 female voters and 91 thousand 862 male voters, 3 for third gender and 78 polling stations.