Election 2008

Brahmaputra shoal voters still undecided

26 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Voters of the Brahmaputra shoal at Baitkamari of Kamarjani union in Gaibandha-2 (Sadar) constituency are yet to decide to whom they will cast vote in the upcoming election which is only three days ahead. This is because voters only know names of Khaleda, Hasina and Ershad but not names of candidates who are in poll race. We have little interest to cast vote for unknown persons although local leaders and influentials are pursuing us to cast vote in favour of candidates of their party symbol, said Hatem Ali, a fisherman. I simply know vote symbols of 'boat,' 'sheaf of paddy ' and 'plough' but I did not see their candidates till now, said Husna Banu, a housewife. I am yet to know identity the contesting candidates because of their failure to turn up in the area, said Ajena Begum, another housewife while another housewife, Hasi Begum, remained tight lipped. However, a farm labourer named Farid Mia said they are unable to disobey instructions of their local Union Parishad (UP) member to whom they are loyal because of his help and cooperation in time of their need. Five candidates are contesting in this constituency. They are AKM Bin Kashem Chowdhury of Khelafat Andolan, Khandker Monjurul Alam of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Mahbub Ara Begum Gini of grand alliance, Shafi-ur-Rahman of four-party alliance and Monjur Alam Mithu of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD). When asked, Kamarjani union chairman Solaiman Ali said it needs at least six hours to travel by boat and on foot to reach the remote shoal.