Zakir Azad, Cumilla

By-elections in the post of Cumilla City Mayor is going to be held in just one and a half years.

In the meantime, 12,500 voters have increased. New voters have now become a factor as it is only a mayoral election. Their full vote can make the difference between victory and defeat. So along with the encouragement to vote to win over new voters, there is a flurry of promises. The candidates are promising from building smart city to employment system. Even the candidates claiming to be youths are saying that the votes of the newcomers will be in favor of the youth.

In the upcoming Cumilla City Corporation by-elections, votes will be taken in EVMs in 27 wards of the city. This time 2 lakh 42 thousand 458 voters can vote. Among them there are 1 lakh 18 thousand 182 male voters and 1 lakh 28 thousand 278 female voters. Besides, there are 2 third gender voters.

In the last election, there were 2 lakh 29 thousand 920 voters in the city. Among them, women voters were 1 lakh 17 thousand 92, male voters were 1 lakh 12 thousand 826. Male and female voters have increased by 12 thousand 538 in this by-election.

Cumilla political analyst Ahsanul Kabir said that since the last election was decided by a margin of only 343 votes. In that case, if the young voters lean in favor of a particular candidate for any particular reason, then the result will not be unusual for that candidate. Because, this time only the election of the mayor; While many fear lower voter turnout at the center - new voters can factor in the enthusiasm they show to cast their first ballots.

Meanwhile, candidates are making various promises to win the hearts of new voters. Except for Monirul Haque Sakku of BNP leader Table Ghari Prateik, the remaining three candidates are seeking support from young voters by presenting themselves as youth. Monirul Haque Sakku also said in the campaign that he will sacrifice himself for the youth, I will say that the first vote of the youth should be for a good man. It could be me, any of the other three people with me. But you have to vote - only after voting you can ask why I voted but did not implement the promise ?

Tahsin Bahar Souchna of Awami League leader Bas Prateek said in various campaigns, I myself am involved in political and social organizations. I am always on the side of the youth. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is taking the steps to implement Smart Bangladesh to build this city for the youth - I will implement them in this city.

I am very hopeful that new voters will cast their first vote for me.

Another Awami League leader Noor Ur Rahman Mahmud Tanim said to young new voters in the campaign, "If elected, I will build a city free of drugs and unemployment." I want to build a smart Bangladesh by digitalizing the youth to create employment, to build a jobless city. So I hope the new voters will choose me.

Another BNP candidate horse marker Nizam Uddin Qaiser said that the young voters gave me the most support and votes in the last 2022 election. Keeping them in mind, I want to promise-if I win this election, I will build a drug and terror free Cumilla . I will give you a city free from extortion and evasion.

The oldest candidate in this election is Monirul Haque Sakku of BNP's table clock symbol. However, his path in the political arena of BNP is from a young age. On the other hand, the introduction of Tahsin Baha, the organizing secretary of the metropolitan Awami League and the general secretary of the social organization Jagrat Humanikat; This is the first time he is participating in any public representative election.

On the other hand, BNP's Nizam Uddin Qaiser participated in the elections in 2022 and proved himself as a factor in that election.

This well-known face in Cumilla student politics is contesting this time as well. Apart from this, Metropolitan Awami League advisory member Noor Ur Rahman Mahmud Tanim of Hati Prateek participated in the 2012 city elections. He also has an illustrious political career.