News Flash
CHANDPUR, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) – BNP candidate for the Chandpur-3 constituency Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik has pledged to ensure employment opportunities and the supply of safe drinking water for local residents if elected in the 13th parliament election slated for February 12.
“If the residents of Chandpur elect me, I want to work with them to create employment opportunities and eliminate the shortage of safe drinking water for them. Because, if we fail to ensure the supply of safe drinking water, it will become impossible to protect the next generation,” he said.
An election atmosphere is prevailing among candidates and voters alike, alongside various calculations to support preferred candidates while the Election Commission is working to make the election free, fair, and credible.
In this context, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) is interviewing heavyweight candidates about their plans and programmes for the development of the country.
Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-nominated candidate for Chandpur-3 (Sadar–Haimchar) constituency. He has been involved in BNP politics for the past 25 years. Currently, he is serving as the Secretary for Expatriates’ Welfare of the BNP Central Executive Committee and President of the Chandpur District BNP.
During his student life, he was involved in the politics of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. Professionally, he is an established businessman.
BSS Chandpur District Correspondent Abdus Salam Azad Jewel has interviewed him.
BSS: What are your election pledges for the voters of your constituency?
Sheikh Farid: We have identified several problems. If the people elect me, my first priority will be to work with the people of Chandpur to create employment opportunities and eliminate the shortage of safe drinking water. If we fail to ensure safe drinking water, it will become impossible to save the next generation. Therefore, we will focus on ensuring the supply of safe drinking water. This decision has been taken by our party.
To create employment, we will try to establish two Export Processing Zones (EPZs). If two EPZs are established, at least 80,000 to 90,000 people will be employed in Chandpur. One EPZ will be in Haimchar and the other in Chandpur Sadar. If we can build these EPZs, I believe there will be no shortage of employment for the people of Chandpur.
BSS: What instructions have you given to your leaders and activists regarding compliance with the electoral code of conduct?
Sheikh Farid: I myself follow the code of conduct, so leaders and activists will certainly follow it and are bound to do so. Above all, we are respectful of the law. We do not want the code of conduct to be violated in any way. We want a fair election in Bangladesh so that everyone can say that, after a long time, a beautiful and acceptable election has been held.
BSS: What is your position about the referendum on the July Charter?
Sheikh Farid: BNP Secretary General has clearly stated that we will vote in favor of ‘yes’. Beyond that, there is nothing more for us to say. As the highest policymaker of our party, the Secretary General has stated this, we will follow it. We will not think anything beyond that.
BSS: What are your expectations regarding the upcoming national parliamentary election?
Sheikh Farid: I expect a beautiful election to be held. Through you, I want to tell the people that please vote for the “Sheaf of Paddy” once. With the people of Chandpur, I will try to solve the problems to build a beautiful Bangladesh. All problems may not be solved in one day, but we will identify the problems and try to solve them gradually. If you all vote for the “Sheaf of Paddy” and make me victorious, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will move one step closer to becoming country’s Prime Minister.
In the Chandpur–Haimchar constituency, there are 546,331 voters, of whom 35 percent are young voters. My message to young voters is, “We will establish two EPZs in Chandpur. For whom will these EPZs be built? These EPZs will be for you. After completing your studies, we will ensure employment opportunities for you in these EPZs.”
In the 13th national election, a total of seven candidates from different parties are contesting in the Chandpur-3 constituency. They are BNP candidate Sheikh Farid Ahmed, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Shahjahan Mia, Gono Forum leader Selim Akbar, Communist Party of Bangladesh leader Md Jahangir Hossain, Gano Odhikar Parishad candidate Md Zakir Hossain, Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Md Zainal Abedin Sheikh and Bangladesh Islami Front leader AHM Ahsan Ullah.
There are 537,592 voters in this constituency, including 275,116 male and 262,374 female, along with two third gender voters. There will be 165 polling centers in this constituency.
