Awami League, BNP come up with innovative publicity techniques for Khulna city polls

Innovative publicity stunts are being seen on the roads before the Khulna city polls. Despite the fact that this is the first time the election will use party symbols, Awami League and BNP seem to be in a race to ensure the participation of grassroots citizens. Various organizations and businesses have already been drafted by the parties for campaign support. Journalists supporting the ruling party have united under an organization called Khulna Shocheton Shangbadik Shomaj, which supports Awami League candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque. They will be openly rallying for Awami League from Sunday. Additionally, representative bodies of various professions, business leaders, lawyers, bank officials, teachers, etc. who support the ruling party's are campaigning for the Awami League. Itineraries of promotional events are being printed and delivered all over the city to raise awareness about the campaign. Khulna Metropolitan Awami League Office Secretary Munshi Mahabub Alam Shohag said: “A website has been set up in support of Talukder Khaleque, It contains information about Khaleque’s achievements over the years.” Moreover, the website is being advertised on Facebook and other social media platforms and all updates are being posted or mailed to journalists with pictures. A separate cell of journalists has been formed to handle such news. Awami League and its affiliated organizations are actively involved in making their campaign public – from the office of the candidates to ward-level members. Khulna Metropolitan BNP’s Information and Technology Affairs Secretary Ehteshamul Haque Shaon said: “Our IT group is campaigning for the party candidate on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and trying to ensure BNP’s victory.” “They have even developed an app to inform the public about the voting process.” BNP and its affiliated organizations, including former Chhatra Dal leaders, are also on the field campaigning for the party candidate. Shaon also said the mayoral and the councillor campaigns are working in tandem to win their respective races. They have not hired journalists to openly campaign in their favour. The Khulna City Corporation election will be held on May 15.