Ensure security at polling centres after Fajr prayers on election day: Asif Mahmud

NCP Election Management Committee chair Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has urged voters to go to polling centres after offering Fajr prayers and ensure a safe voting environment in the upcoming election, stressing the need to protect voters, particularly women.

"Casting your own vote is not enough. We must ensure the safety of ordinary people, especially our mothers and sisters, so they can vote freely," he said yesterday (2 February) while addressing a rally during a National Citizen Party election procession in Panchagarh Sadar upazila, in support of Panchagarh-1 candidate for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance Sarjis Alam.

"If you make this effort for one day, you can live safely and peacefully for the next five years."

Asif said Panchagarh-1 needs a top candidate. "Your MPs and ministers have been elected from this constituency before, but they did nothing for the local people. Sarjis Alam worked for tourism and road development here, even without being an MP. If you elect him, he will work with even greater responsibility," he said.

Criticising dynastic politics, he added, "For 54 years we have seen commissioners' sons becoming commissioners and MPs' sons becoming MPs and ministers. We want your sons to become chairmen, commissioners, MPs and ministers one day." 

He also pledged that voting for the NCP's "Shapla koli" symbol will end bribery-driven business practices in Panchagarh and ensure better healthcare. 

"People have not been able to vote in the last three elections," he added. 

Sarjis called on voters to reject those involved in false cases, extortion, terrorism and violence against women. 

"Check who committed these crimes and do not vote for them. If our leaders or activists do such things, do not vote for us either. A good leader must be able to control their followers," he said.

Addressing minority voters, Sarjis said alliance activists have previously guarded temples and puja mandaps, while leaders of a major party have allegedly occupied immersion ponds and seized land and businesses. "Reject these grabbers," he urged.

Responding to BNP promises on healthcare and development, Sarjis said political parties, including Jamaat and the NCP, have contributed funds to launch the new building of the sadar hospital, but BNP has not. He criticised what he described as violence by party activists and urged party leadership to restrain them. "We have not come to be rulers or exploiters; we have come to serve," he said.

Panchagarh Jamaat chief Maulana Iqbal Hossain said the alliance was formed to win, not to lose. "We will not send rapists, murderers, extortionists, land grabbers or abusers to parliament. We will ensure Sarjis Alam's victory in Panchagarh-1, Insha'Allah," he said, adding that villagers will guard polling centres to prevent vote rigging.