‘We want to build a new Bangladesh,’ says Akhtar after win
NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen secured victory in his very first national election. Reacting at the returning officer’s office, he said he had little financial preparation for the polls.
Akhter Hossen of the National Citizen Party (NCP), backed by the 11-party electoral alliance, has won the Rangpur-4 (Pirgacha-Kaunia) seat in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, securing victory in his first-ever national contest.
Contesting with the "Shapla Koli" symbol, Akhter received 1,49,966 votes. His nearest rival, Emdadul Haque Varosha, who contested with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, secured 140,564 votes, according to Prothom Alo.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party candidate Abu Naser Shah Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, contesting with the Plough symbol, obtained 33,664 votes.
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Returning Officer Md Enamul Ahsan declared Akhter Hossen unofficially elected at around 3:30am on Thursday night. The constituency has a total of 5,09,906 voters and 164 polling centres. Voter turnout stood at 64.35%.
NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen secured victory in his very first national election. Reacting at the returning officer's office, he said he had little financial preparation for the polls.
People from across the country donated around Tk27 lakh to his bank account, bKash and Nagad.
He said, "Residents of Kaunia and Pirgacha contributed in different amounts at various times, ranging from Tk10 to Tk500, Tk1,000, Tk20,000, and even Tk1 lakh."
"So many people have worked hard; some were injured, some were slapped. Every single person, from children to elders, who worked day and night — I owe each of them. It is my duty to repay that debt," Akhter said.
Expressing gratitude, Akhter added, "May Allah grant me the opportunity to undertake big initiatives for this Bangladesh and this area so that I can repay everyone's debt. I seek prayers from everyone so that I can properly fulfil my responsibilities and keep the promises I have made. We want to build a new Kaunia-Pirgacha. We want to build a new Bangladesh."
