Although Lalbagh and Chawkbazar areas of Old Dhaka are economically vital wholesale hubs, residents of this region continue to grapple with deep-rooted civic problems.Unplanned housing, shops, factories and warehouses crammed into narrow alleys leave the area — which falls under the Dhaka-7 constituency — highly vulnerable to fires.Residents also endure chronic traffic congestion, dysfunctional drainage systems, gas and water shortages, and a deteriorating law-and-order situation.
The constituency comprises wards 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35 and 36 of Dhaka South City Corporation, covering Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, Bangshal, Kamrangirchar and parts of Kotwali police station.
Elections in the constituency are often influenced by business leaders and long-time locals of Old Dhaka.
“In business and in accessing civic services, corruption is everywhere. Law and order situation is not good either,” said Anwar Hossain, 40, a Lalbagh-based businessman. “Currently, the government has no control over anything. We hope things will improve after the election.”
With campaigning underway in the Dhaka-7 alleyways, candidates’ offices have sprung up at key intersections. Supporters march through alleys, distribute leaflets and use loudspeakers to draw attention.
Mohammad Anwar, a businessman from Ward 27 in Hossaini Dalan area, said residents face gas shortages, waterlogging and insecurity. “We want a safe environment and security for trade,” he said.
Voters say a festive election atmosphere has returned to the area, with processions, door-to-door visits and public outreach by candidates’ supporters.
Seema Dutta, the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist)-nominated candidate for Dhaka-7, said growing public distrust in major parties has opened space for left-wing politics, though fear and anxiety remain among the general public regarding the election.
“If elected, I will work to protect Harijan Colony land in Lalbagh, resolve the gas crisis and address unemployment,” she said, adding that her focus goes beyond infrastructure to representing ordinary people in national policymaking.
She also pledged to advocate for women’s rights and urged young voters to prioritise honesty and competence over money and muscle power.
BNP candidate Hamidur Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Enayet Ullah are both well-known local businessmen.
“Our candidate has been doing business in Old Dhaka for 52 years,” said Abdur Rahman, head of Jamaat’s Dhaka-7 election management committee. “Voters see him as both a business leader and a religious figure, and have positive notions about him.”
Enayet Ullah said business owners face discrimination.
“If elected, I will work to make VAT and income tax laws business-friendly,” he said, pledging to eliminate extortion, drugs, and corruption, and resolve the gas crisis.
“I will work so that the Old Dhakaiyas do not face any discrimination.”
Meanwhile, BNP candidate Hamidur Rahman expressed confidence in his victory, saying a festive and free voting environment has emerged after many years. “Voters will cast their ballots freely in a festive atmosphere,” he told The Daily Star.
“I plan to open free computer and technical training centres in every ward to build a skilled youth force,” he said, also pledging women’s safety and zero tolerance for terrorism and extortion.
The members of the Hindu community in Old Dhaka are also looking forward to the February 12 election.
According to them, people have had to endure various problems, including a deteriorating law and order situation and rising commodity prices.
They hope these problems will be resolved to some extent after the election.
The Dhaka-7 constituency now has 4,79,376 voters, up from 3,43,089 in the previous election — an increase of 1,36,287.
Other candidates include Md Abdur Rahman of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Mohammad Saifuddin Ahmed Milan of Jatiya Party, Shafiqur Rahman of Bangladesh Republican Party, Md Habibullah of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Md Shahidul Islam of Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Maksudur Rahman of Muktijote, Shahana Selim of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), and independent candidate Mohammad Ishaq Sarkar.
