Himu's Window

Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Canvassing for mayor and councilor candidates has become a source of income for hundreds of unemployed and poor youths, especially women, in Rajshahi city as they are being offered attractive figures for electioneering for the candidates. The opportunity has come as a relief among the poor against the backdrop of skyrocketing prices of essentials, although purchasing votes or influencing election through spending money is a violation of the election code of conduct. A good number of employees of Rajshahi City Corporation and some other government offices have also engaged themselves in the election campaign seeing a new source of income, even at times hampering their duties. The demand for women workers is high as women have easier access than men to households. Full-time workers are being paid Tk 100 to Tk 160 per day while part-time workers are getting Tk 30 to Tk 80, according to the workers. Children are also being hired despite the fact that engag

  Mayoral and councillorship hopefuls in Rajshahi City Corporation elections yesterday at a meeting with local administration raised allegations of gross code of conduct violations. Campaigning under the banners of political parties, spending of black money and intimidation by hired thugs are widespread, claimed a number of contestants. The meeting, held at Rajshahi District Council auditorium, was organised by returning officer and regional deputy election commissioner of Rajshahi. Honest, educated and competent candidates are at a disadvantage due to the authorities' indifference toward the violations of the code of conduct, said the speakers. Bribing prospective voters and intimidation and attacks targeted at opponents by some of the candidates will foil the government's effort for holding an election free from violence, corruptionists and black money holders, they cautioned. Out of 15 candidates running for the mayoral post of the city, 12 were present a

  Australian Deputy High Commissioner Kilmeny Beckering Vinckers paid a two-day visit to Rajshahi to monitor the situation here before the Rajshahi City Corporation election. During her visit, she met Acting Rajshahi Mayor Rejaunnabi Dudu, also a mayoral candidate, at his office yesterday morning. She had talks with other mayoral candidates including City Awami League President Masudul Haque Dulu and General Secretary AHM Khairuzzaman Liton over cell phone. Earlier, she met Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Hafijur Rahman Bhuiyan, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner M Ibrahim Khalil and Deputy Election Commissioner Sayed Muhammad Musa on Sunday.   http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=46910

Violating the election code of conduct, a coloured banner is hung near RDA market in Rajshahi city seeking vote for a mayoral candidate. Photo: STAR Independent mayor candidate Siddikur Rahman gave an undertaking at Rajshahi deputy election commissioner's office yesterday that he would no more violate election rules by using loudspeakers beyond the officially fixed time limit.Election officials along with police seized a three-wheeler and loudspeakers while those were being used for campaigning for Siddikur Rahman after 8 pm Saturday night, which is prohibited.Siddikur Rahman was then summoned to the deputy election commissioner's office. He gave in writing that he would never use loudspeakers on streets violating the code of conduct and abide by other polls rules.However, sources at the election office said they received many such allegations of violation of code of conduct. In most cases, they warn the candidates through letters.Rajshahi city Awami League (AL) secretary an