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JOYPURHAT, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Independent candidate for Jaipurhat-1 constituency Sabekun Nahar Shikha has expressed her hope to build Joypurhat as a modern model town if she gets people's mandate in the 13th national election to be held on February 12.
In an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Joypurhat district correspondent Masud Rana, former chairman of Panchbibi Upazila Parishad Sabekun Nahar Shikha discussed various election-related issues.
BSS: What are your electoral pledges for the voters of your area?
Sabekun Nahar: I want to work for the people of my area. I want to create employment to eliminate unemployment. I want to establish industries and factories in Panchbibi to create employment, so that educated unemployed individuals can become self-reliant.
BSS: What is your directive to leaders and activists regarding compliance with the electoral code of conduct?
Sabekun Nahar: Every leader, activist, and supporter has been instructed to follow the electoral code of conduct. I myself will follow all the rules of the Election Commission and at the same time, others must also follow them. We will abide by the code of conduct properly.
BSS: What is your position on the referendum regarding the July Charter?
Sabekun Nahar: 80 percent of the people in my area belong to the lower class. They are not aware of the referendum. They do not know about July and the referendum. Awareness must be raised among them. Once aware, the voters will decide on the referendum. Regarding voting 'yes' or 'no,' the people will decide on what they think is best.
BSS: What is your expectation regarding the upcoming national election?
Sabekun Nahar: People have not been able to vote for many long years. My expectation is that all voters in the country will go to the polling centers and vote without fear this time. We want a free and fair election. I hope that if elected, I can take Joypurhat a step forward. If the big parties do not use their muscle power, then we will see a fair and impartial vote, Inshallah.
Joypurhat is a border district in the northern region. The district is composed of 5 upazilas. This district has 2 parliamentary constituencies. Jaipurhat-1 constituency is formed with Sadar upazila and Panchbibi. On the other hand, Jaipurhat-2 constituency is formed with Kalai, Khetlal, and Akkelpur upazilas.
Joypurhat-1 constituency is formed with 17 unions. There are 151 polling centers in this constituency. The number of total voters is 4,66,274 and of them, 2,31,983 are male and are 2,34,283. The number of third-gender voters is 8.
In the upcoming parliament election, 7 candidates are contesting in this constituency. Masud Rana Prodhan, son of the late former MP Mozahar Ali Prodhan, are contesting from BNP, Fazlur Rahman Sayeed from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Wazed Parvez from Bangladesh Socialist Party-BASD, Toufika Dewan from Socialist Party of Bangladesh-Marxist, Sultan Md. Shamsuzzaman from My Bangladesh Party-AB Party and Anwar Hossain from Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish.
Besides, as an independent candidate, former chairman of Panchbibi Upazila Parishad Sabekun Nahar Shikha is contesting.
