Abu Raihan, Manirampur Correspondent:
Excluding today (Friday), only 12 days remain before the 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled to be held on February 12. In the Jashore-5 (Manirampur) constituency, election campaigning is in full swing. Among six contesting candidates, three have emerged as heavyweights in the current race, dominating both campaigning activities and public support.
Among the six constituencies of greater Jashore, Manirampur presents a unique and eye-catching political scene, with candidates and their supporters going door to door seeking votes. Notably, fathers are contesting for parliamentary seats, while their sons are actively campaigning in alleys, villages, and marketplaces to ensure their fathers’ victory. The three sons of two parliamentary candidates are seen personally approaching voters and asking for support.
Such scenes have been observed in the campaigns of independent candidate and former Upazila BNP President M. Iqbal Hossain, where his two sons—Hasain Iqbal Sani and Hossain Iqbal Sadi—are campaigning for the Pitcher symbol. Similarly, Talha bin Rashid, son of BNP-nominated candidate Md. Rashid Ahmed, is actively canvassing the constituency in favor of the Sheaf of Paddy symbol.
As part of their electioneering, they are conducting continuous door-to-door campaigns in villages, neighborhoods, and key market areas. Alongside exchanging greetings with voters, they are clearly presenting their fathers’ political identities, ideologies, and electoral commitments. The active participation of these young campaigners has added fresh momentum and excitement to the race.
Local voters say that seeing candidates’ sons personally seeking votes has significantly increased public interest, making the election atmosphere more vibrant and competitive.
Senior political leaders believe that such family involvement creates an emotional connection in election campaigns, which can play a crucial role in influencing voters’ choices.
As election day draws nearer, the intensity of these young campaigners’ efforts continues to rise. From morning till night, often forgetting meals, they remain busy in the field to secure their fathers’ victory. Voters have expressed enthusiasm over the respectful behavior and direct interaction of these well-educated sons, noting that sitting beside voters and speaking at the grassroots level reflects a sense of civility and social values.
Meanwhile, another heavyweight contender, Advocate Gazi Enamul Haque, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate, has energized the constituency with extensive campaigning for the Scales symbol by his supporters.
At the same time, campaigns by Zainal Abedin Tipu of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (Hand Fan symbol), MA Halim of the Jatiya Party (Plough symbol), and independent candidate Md. Kamruzzaman (Football symbol) have further heightened the electoral excitement across the constituency.
To prevent any disorder ahead of the upcoming election, joint patrols by Manirampur police and the army are ongoing, according to Manirampur Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Returning Officer Md. Samrat Hossain.