KHULNA, January 4, 2024 (BSS)-Polls campaign has reached its peak today in 36 constituencies in Khulna Division as just a few hours are away from the end of the campaign.

Voters, especially the newly registered young ones, are showing more interest in franchising their rights to elect better and committed leadership through the January 7 polls.

The authorities have taken adequate measures in holding the polls in a free, fair, peaceful, impartial, and transparent manner in a festive mood ensuring a sound law and order situation in all the constituencies of Khulna division. 

The contesting candidates and their workers are conducting the last-moment door-to-door campaign in both urban and rural areas to attract the voters to cast their votes in favour of their candidates.  

The divisional coordination committee of the 12th parliamentary election organized its meeting today at the conference room of the office of the Divisional Commissioner in the city with Divisional Commissar Md. Helal Mahmud Sharif in the chair.

Deputy Inspector General for Khulna Range Police Moinul Haque, Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Md Mozammel Haque, Military and RAB officials, Khulna Regional Election Officer Md Humayun Kabir, Returning Officers (Deputy Commissioners) and Superintends of Police from all 10 districts and other officials concerned addressed the meeting.

The meeting discussed all aspects of holding the January 7 polls peacefully in a free, fair and transparent manner ensuring full-proof security in all constituencies of the division.

Talking to the newsmen after holding meeting, Khulna divisional Commissioner Md Helal Mahmud Sharif said, law enforcement agencies including BGB, RAB, Coast Guard and Army have been deployed before and after the election in all 36 constituencies of the division. 

All preparations have been completed for holding a free, fair and credible election, he said, adding that training of Presiding officers, election related officers has been completed.

Besides, candidates of Awami League and its associate bodies, Jatiya Party, Trinomul BNP, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), Islami Oikko Jote, Bangladesh Congress Party, Jaker Party and independent candidates are mostly campaigning all the day long. 

In the last day of campaign, the contesting AL candidates are distributing leaflets focusing on massive development AL government has done in the last 15 years side by side with new promises of development of the digital Bangladesh in their respective constituencies. The AL candidates also spoke public meetings during last couple of days.

Talking to BSS, Khulna Region Election Officer Md Humayun Kabir said, a total of 236 candidates from different political parties including the ruling AL are contesting for 36 parliamentary seats under 10 districts of Khulna division for the upcoming 12th general elections.

Talking to the voters of all six constituencies, most of them are expecting that independent candidates will fight against AL-backed candidates in some constituencies whereas Jatiya Party candidates will fight against AL-backed candidates in other constituencies.

The number of voters in 10 districts is 1, 34, 46,783. Of them, 67, 46,491 are male, 67, 00,205 are female voters. The number of transgender voters is 87, confirmed by Khulna Region Election Officer Md Humayun Kabir while talking to BSS today.

To ensure a free, fair, and neutral election, 10 returning officers, 71 assistant returning officers, 4,984 presiding officers, 30,253 assistant presiding officers, and 60,506 polling agents will be on duty during the election on January 7, he added.