Eight candidates will contest in the Dhaka-17 by-election with voters having the choice of selecting a representative who will fight for their interests.
The voters of Dhaka-17 are eagerly preparing to elect their new representative in parliament on July 17, despite the upcoming parliamentary election being just a few months away. Dhaka-17, known for its affluent neighborhoods such as Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and part of the Dhaka Cantonment, holds the distinction of being the poshest constituency in the capital.
Constituency overview
The Dhaka-17 constituency was established in 2008 and comprises the following areas:
Ward 15: Manikdi, Matikata, Balughat, Lalasorai, Dhamalkot, Albodirtek, Baigartek, Vashantek.
Ward 18: Baridhara Residential block- I, J, K, Kalachadpur, Nodda, Shahjadpur-(Ka, Kha, Ga).
Ward 19: Banani, Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2, and Korail.
Ward 20: Mohakhali, Mohakhali-Gulshan-1 link road, Niketon, and Institute of Public Health.
You can also read: DMP Commissioner commits to uphold impartiality in Dhaka-17 by-election
The seat for the Dhaka-17 constituency became vacant on May 15 this year following the demise of Awami League MP and legendary actor Akbar Hossain Pathan, popularly known as Farooque, who was elected as MP from Dhaka-17 in 2018. Subsequently, the Election Commission (EC) announced the date for the by-election on June 1.
Analysis of voters’ demographics
There are a total of four categorical electors in Dhaka’s constituency number 17. First, it has four affluent neighbourhoods, including Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani, and Niketon society. Although many policymakers and members of the country’s affluent elite reside in the constituency, there are also many individuals from low-income households there. This constituency contains a total of 15 slums, including Korail, Bhashantek, Matikada slum, Kalachaldpur, Jheelpar, etc.
Then there is the cantonment area, that includes military housing. Lastly, middle class individuals live in this constituency. In general, this constituency is comprised of voters with varying levels of education and living standards and diverse voter categories.
Even though the Dhaka 17 constituency is demographically diverse, the majority of its voters are from slums, as elites are less likely to participate in elections. As they considerably outnumber the wealthy, analysts believe the residents of these slums will play a crucial role in determining the winner of the by-election. In the slums of Mohakhali, Korail, Amtali, Rasulbagh, T&T, Kalachandpur, and Jhilpar, candidates were observed to be more active. Approximately 5,000 to 7,000 people will vote from slums near railway tracks or warehouses. More than 10,000 people will vote in Ward 18’s slums of Kalachandpur, Jhilpar, and Nadda Sarkarbari Dulal. Approximately 25,000 people will vote in the Korail slum of Ward no. 19 on election day.
Candidate profiles:
Mohammad Ali Arafat
Prof. Mohammad Ali Arafat is a member of the Awami League’s Central Working Committee and will run in the Dhaka-17 by-elections under the “Boat” symbol for the ruling party. In addition to being an academic, political analyst, and commentator, he is the founding convener and current chairman of Suchinta Foundation, a Bangladeshi non-profit research organisation.
Mohammad A. Arafat, who appeared on numerous Awami League television talk programmes, has never sought nomination from any constituency before this election.
He graduated from Oklahoma State University in the United States and completed his master’s degree in Texas. He is a professor at Canadian University of Bangladesh at present.
Sikder Anisur Rahman
Major (retired) Sikder Anisur Rahman is the Jatiya Party (JaPa) candidate with the “Plough” symbol in the Dhaka-17 by-elections. He was a member of the Bangladesh Army from 1992 to 2016.
Since his retirement, he has been engaged in business and the Jaitya Party’s politics.
This is his first time participating in an election under the party’s banner. He is the chairman of Taa-Sin Knitwear Ltd and the chief executive officer of Zone 5 Ltd.
Ashraful Hossen Alom (Hero Alom)
YouTuber Ashraful Hossen Alom aka Hero Alom will run as an independent candidate with the ‘Ektara’ symbol in the upcoming Dhaka 17 by-elections.
Alom barely finished seventh grade at a local school. Previously, he used to sell chanachur at a train station. Later, he began selling CDs, became involved in the satellite TV connection industry, and produced music videos.
In 2018, he entered politics after receiving nomination credentials from the Jatiya Party. Last year, Alom submitted nomination papers for Bogra-6 (Sadar) and Bogra-4, but he was narrowly defeated in both districts. He is often in talks for his contested activities.
Rezaul Islam Swapan
Rezaul Islam Swapan, a former government official is the Bangladesh Congress’ candidate for the Dhaka-17 by-elections. His electoral symbol is the “Green Coconut.”
He is a musician, author, and social worker, as well as the founding chairman of the Nakful Bangladesh political party, which was founded on October 23, 2018. He completed his bachelor’s degree in social science.
Sheikh Habibur Rahman
Major (ret.) Sheikh Habibur Rahman, who is the head of the Trinamool BNP and BNA, is known as an ENT expert and head and neck surgeon. Additionally, he specialises in speech and language.
In 1968, Habibur graduated from Sher-e-Bangla Medical College. He participated in the politics of the Bangladesh Student League during his student years.
He is the former assistant professor & head of Dept. of ENT in Combined Military Hospital. In 2013, Habibur became actively involved in the Trinamool BNP leadership.
His electoral symbol is “Jute” (Sonali Aash).
Mohammad Akhter Hossain
Mohammad Akhter Hossain has received his master’s degree with distinction from the Department of History at Dhaka University. He has been active in politics since his student days.
He is the current chairman of the Jananeetir Congress and a journalist by profession. He has formed a coalition with Shangskritik Muktijot and is a candidate for that party.
In 2014 and 2018, he ran for the Dhaka-6 by-elections, and he is presently involved in numerous social activities. His electoral symbol is the “Stick.”
Ashok Kumar Dhar
Ashok Kumar Dhar was the student organization’s general secretary for the Democratic Party. In the 1990s, he was one of the leaders of the anti-dictatorship movement. He was the Vice-President of Anupras, the National Poets Organization. He is also the Vice President of the Manobadhikar Society. He is the managing director of Swadesh Auto Limited and the general secretary of the Ganatantri party at present.
Mohammad Ali Arafat has been lauded as the most qualified candidate due to his immense popularity and remarkable academic credentials. However, the primary question is, how Ashraful Hossen Alom (Hero Alom) has received at least 1% of the vote in order to be nominated in an elite place like Dhaka 17. Reportedly, he was communicating with Tarek Rahman, the acting chairman of the BNP, via digital channels. If these claims are accurate, then Mohammad Ali Arafat will have to face an BNP proxy politician who is highly contested and trolled for his actions.
Voters’ demand and challenges
The Dhaka-17 constituency is one of the most elite in the country, but it also faces a number of challenges. In recent years, the city corporation has proposed a plan to transform Banani’s open spaces and parks into commercial spaces. This has been met with opposition from the local community, who fear that it will lead to a loss of green space and a decline in the quality of life.
Another major challenge facing the constituency is the high level of poverty in the slums of Korail. Many of the residents of these slums are engaged in illegal activities in order to make ends meet. This has led to a high crime rate in the area, and it is a major concern for the local community.
The constituency also faces challenges related to traffic and air pollution. The roads in the area are narrow and congested, and the frequent passage of loaded trucks after 6 PM adds to the problem. This has led to a significant increase in air pollution, which is a major health concern for the residents.
The people of Dhaka-17 are looking for a candidate who can address these challenges. The next election will be a crucial test for the future of the area.
Candidates campaign for Dhaka-17 by-election
Candidates have been campaigning for the by-election, with many of them going from door to door to seek for votes. On June 26, they were assigned their campaign symbols, and on June 27, the official campaign period began. Each candidate promises voters a variety of civic benefits, and each is optimistic about prevailing.
Awami League candidates Mohammad A. Arafat and Hero Alom lead the discussion among the candidates. Arafat will compete for the first time at the national level. On Monday, he conducted an election rally in the capital’s Cantonment area. He stated that he would attend to the problems of the locals and consult with journalists in order to find solutions. He added that he would progressively resolve all problems in low-income communities’ slums.
Arafat expressed the expectation that the symbol of Awami League, a boat, will receive more votes as the number of voters increases. He stated that he could say with certainty that they will show the whole world through the Dhaka-17 election that democracy exists in Bangladesh if Awami League is in power.
Hero Alom has participated in election campaigns alongside other candidates and committed to help the needy.
The by-election for Dhaka-17 is crucial for the people living in the constituency as they are looking for a candidate who can address the challenges facing the constituency and improve the quality of life for all residents.
