Chittagong: ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and M Manjur Alam, the two key mayoral candidates in the upcoming Chittagong City Corporation elections, are going to start their poll campaign tomorrow by using digital technology to reach 17 lakh voters within the given timeframe.

The candidates will get only 17 days for campaigning for the June 17 polls. According to poll code, candidates cannot arrange any showdown and rally.  
 
A website has already been opened under the banner of Chottagram Unnayan Andolon for campaigning for opposition BNP-backed mayoral candidate M Manjur Alam.

Nagorik Committee is also going to open a website for the cyber-campaign for Mohiuddin Chowdhury, the ruling Awami League-backed mayoral candidate, who has just stepped down to seek a fourth consecutive term as mayor of the port city.
Sources said Mohiuddin is more advanced in digital campaigning than Manjur. The Nagorik Committee is working hard to overcome any lacking in poll campaigns. Mohibul Hasan Noufel, son of Mohiuddin Chawdhury, is playing main role in this regard.

Sources said Mohiuddin’s visiting cards with picture have already been distributed among thousands members of election-conduction and poll-center committees of the Nagorik committee.
“These cards will be distributed among voters, too,” said Major (retd) Emdadul Islam, member-secretary of the Nagorik Committee.

He also informed the campaign would be continuing through electronic billboards and mobile-phone SMS. “ We have already consulted IT experts of different institutions, including Grameenphone,” he added.

Sources informed advertisements would be published in national and local dailies besides broadcast documentary on Mohiuddin Chowdhury in ad form on different television channels.  

Though website has been opened, Manjur Alam is lagging far behind in the cyber-war through digital poll campaign.
Professor Abul Kashem Chowdhury, Convener of Chottagram Unnayan Andolon, told banglanews24.com.bd said Mohiuddin is “violating the poll code” in campaign. “We are doing campaign abiding by the poll code. We have opened a technology cell,” he added.

Dr Md Mahbubullah, one of the organizers of the Chottagram Unnayan Andolon, said they would publish advertisements in different national and local dailies.

BDST 1655 hrs May27, 2010
HS/RS/MMA/MUA