| First-ever Mayoral Debate In Sylhet Candidates pledge graft-free city admin Staff Correspondent The mayoral candidates of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) yesterday said they, if elected, would work to make the city corporation administration free of corruption and solve problems the city dwellers are facing.
During an electoral dialogue held at the Jalalabad Gas Auditorium in Sylhet, they said they would admit to their failures and resign if they fail to carry out their duties.
The Election Commission (EC) took initiative for the dialogue and BBC Bangla Service organised the dialogue. The elections to the SCC and three other city corporations are scheduled for August 4.
Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar aired the programme live.
Seven out of the 15 mayoral candidates of SCC took part in the first of two such dialogues. Around 200 people, including students, businessmen, government and non-government officials, were present at the dialogue and raised different problems they are facing in the city.
They candidates who took part in the dialogue yesterday are AFM Kamal, Abdul Mukit Khan, Abdul Haque, Abdus Samad Nazrul, Alhaj Maulana Sirajul Islam, M Kutubuddin Ahmed and Kazi Kamal Ahmed.
The incumbent SCC Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran is in detention while the rest seven candidates will take part in the second dialogue scheduled for tonight.
About 30 people asked the candidates questions on their plans for the city's development. The questions were largely on issues like clean water and sanitation, water logging, land grabbing, law and order and corruption.
They even questioned the candidates' competency as well as their past, present and future.
The candidates assured the viewers and listeners of making the SCC an efficient institution by rooting corruption out. They also said they would take measures to provide essential services to the city dwellers within a limited time.
They said they, if elected, would make the SCC politics-free.
As people asked questions on how they would solve the drinking water problem in the city, the mayoral candidates said they would try to use water-recycling and water treatment plants.
Abdus Samad Nazrul said, "Water supply is a major problem of the city. If elected, I would try to implement water-recycling projects since the city is encircled by the Surma [a river]. I hope to complete the work of installing deep tube wells and widening water supply lines within a year. I would try to ensure smooth water supply under a two-year plan."
Another mayoral candidate Sirajul Islam said, "First, we have to stop corruption and the trend of lifting water from the corporation. I would try to increase water supply by setting up a water treatment plant on the Surma."
On the drainage system, they said they would ensure proper drainage system to help reduce the water logging problem in the city.
They also said they would try to recover land of water bodies encroached on by land grabbers.
The candidates were asked why they think they are eligible for the post of mayor.
Abdus Samad Nazrul said he would not let the people of Sylhet city down since they have confidence and faith in him.
Abdul Haque said, "I believe that I am an honest candidate. In the past I was leader of a political party due to my honesty and competency."
The participants of the programme also asked whether the candidates would cooperate with them if they were not elected mayor.
Nazrul said, "It is my duty to cooperate with you."
BBC's Kamal Ahmed moderated the one-hour programme that began at 8:45pm.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda and election commissioners Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) Shakhawat Hossain also attended the programme.
Before the programme began, the CEC said the electoral dialogue will increase accountability of mayoral candidates and encourage constructive dialogue and interaction between the candidates.
Similar dialogues are being arranged in Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal, he said.
It is being done to ensure an atmosphere for holding a free and fair election, the CEC said.
He called upon the city dwellers to elect honest people to lead the city in the next five years.
Terming the city corporation elections very important, he said they are taking these polls very seriously as this would help them hold a free and fair parliamentary election in December. | |