Tabarak  Lakshmipur Correspondent: After a long 53 years, the Raipur Bazar Merchants’ Association elections are finally going to be held.

Since the announcement of the schedule, there has been renewed interest and discussion among voters and potential candidates in Raipur city. From various tea shops in the market to wholesale warehouses, meetings and gatherings, the main discussion is going on – who will be the president-general secretary.

Due to various reasons, the market traders were trapped in the stagnation of the lack of leadership due to the lack of elections. This time, after the announcement of the schedule, new enthusiasm, expectations and vitality have been flowing in the market. On Wednesday (May 21), the election schedule was officially announced in a notification signed by Returning Officer and Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Majedul Islam. According to the announcement, voting will be held on Saturday (June 28) with great enthusiasm.

The distribution of nomination papers began on May 22 and will end on May 26 at 5 pm. As of the time of writing, 5 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the post of president, 8 for the post of general secretary and a total of 56 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for other posts. The scrutiny will be held on May 28 and 29, and the final list of valid candidates will be published on June 3. Symbol allocation will be on June 16, and the results will be announced on June 28.

Local businessman Md. Zahir Hossain has been doing business in Raipur city for the last 20 years. He said, the election of the traders’ association means an opportunity to establish our rights. We are all hopeful with this news that the elections are going to be held after a long time. Saiful Islam Murad, Ibrahim Mia, Abdur Rob Siddiqui, Bahar Mridha, Mehedi Hasan Zion, Alamgir Hossain, Zia Ulya Mamun, Md. Ibrahim Mia, son of veteran businessman Mohammad Ali, Raju, Morshed Alam and Md. Zafar officially submitted their nomination papers for various positions.

Returning Officer for the Banik Samiti elections Md. Majedul Islam said, “We will be extremely vigilant to ensure a fair, impartial and participatory election. Every step will be conducted in accordance with the law.”

Raipur Upazila Executive Officer and Election Supervision Administrator Md. Imran Khan said, “Speak unity. Everyone will unite and form a beautiful association. The business community is the backbone of the country’s economy. If business leaders in Raipur can elect honest and qualified representatives, then this market will reach new horizons of development. The candidates will campaign on issues such as market infrastructure development, traffic system, prevention of extortion, modernization of the electricity system, security of traders and formation of a unified business platform.”

A large portion of the voters are young businessmen in the city. They want a leader with a transparent image who will work with modern business thinking, technology, and ethics.

Presidential candidate Saiful Islam Murad said, “The election of Raipur Bazar Traders’ Association is not just an election of an organization, it is a reflection of the strength and unity of the business community. If there is a fair election with the participation of all parties, business and commerce will accelerate not only in the market, but also in the largest Noakhali and the entire Lakshmipur district – this is the expectation of ordinary businessmen.”

General Secretary candidate Golam Maula Raju, a prominent businessman from the Bus Terminal area, said, “I have been in business for 30 years. This is the first time that the election of the Traders’ Association is going to be held systematically. It is not just a place for positions, but an organization for the rights and welfare of traders. I want an acceptable election with the participation and cooperation of everyone.”

General Secretary candidate Alamgir Hossain said that senior businessmen have not been able to establish a business organization in Raipur city for so many years. Therefore, “we want someone who believes in action, not words. We must give importance to these three basic issues – development, coordination and security – and we will give them.”