Candidates' competence may sway Ctg voters

Candidates capable of successfully addressing the local problems may win over the voters of Chittagong city, according to several residents who are closely following the campaigns.
Although waterlogging and cleanliness remain to be the dominating problems, there are wards facing unique problems, and the voters will choose candidates able to solve them.
A total of 12 mayoral aspirants, 216 councillor aspirants for 41 councillor (general) posts, and 62 candidates for 14 reserved seats of councillors for women are in the race. 
Talking to the voters, The Daily Star has found that most of them would put more emphasis on the candidates' competence than their political background.
For example, neither waterlogging nor cleanliness is a problem in Ward 1 (South Pahartoli). Rather, the residents are deprived of supply of water by Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) and do not have gas connections unlike in other wards, while the roads are in bad shape.
Bishwarup Das, a resident of the area, said as the ward was located on the edge, it was deprived of many civic amenities. "Apart from water and gas facilities, the people lack access to proper healthcare," he said. "There is no maternity clinic nearby."
"I would not consider the candidates' political background, rather I would see their capability to address our problems," he said.
Akbar Reja, a cultural activist and a resident of Ward 14 (Lalkhan Bazar), said hawkers occupy most of the roads making it difficult for movement of vehicles and passersby. Most of the drains here are not cleaned regularly, he alleged.
In Ward 10 (North Kattali), people are deprived of Wasa water supply, complained Jewel Shil, a photojournalist living there.
Poor waste management plagues Ward 16 (Chawk Bazar), Ward 17 (West Bakalia), Ward 21 (Jamal Khan), Ward 22 (Enayet Bazar), and Ward 24 (North Agrabad).
Amir Uddin, a resident of Ward 24 (North Agrabad), said waterlogging and poor waste management were the main problems in his neighbourhood.
"Sufferings of people here know no bound during the monsoon as most roads go under knee- to waist-deep water," he said. "Moreover, dustbins in the area have not been set up in the proper place, and so residents and pedestrians have to endure bad odour round the year." 
Majedul Islam, a university student from Ward 37 (Middle Halishahar), who will vote for the first time, said candidates' competence and educational qualification would dominate his choice. "We will also evaluate the works of the previous mayors and councillors and will not consider their political affiliations," he said.
Awami League-backed mayoral aspirant AZM Nasir Uddin said if elected, he would form committees in every ward comprising its residents to address local problems. "Development works will be undertaken on the basis of suggestions and recommendations of the committees." 
BNP-blessed mayor candidate M Manjur Alam said he knew better about the state of the wards and their problems. He also promised to form similar committees to address the problems.