Though there were promises from all contesting candidates to remove posters, banners and festoons after the end of Dhaka city corporations’ polls, every nook and corner of the capital is still filled with laminated posters of candidates. Despite their promise, none of them was found removing the election posters, excepting a few.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) workers were seen removing the posters in different parts of the city on Sunday. There were promises of removing the posters of their own, but no candidate did so after the election. But the city corporations have already started removing the posters. However, the city corporations could not say how the posters would be destroyed in the process of removal.
A total of 749 candidates, including mayors, councilors and reserved seat councilors, participated in the elections to the two city corporations in Dhaka. Most of these candidates put on laminated posters around the city. According to a report by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), this year's election posters will produce about 2,500 metric tons of plastic waste, which is seriously damaging the environment.
Urban experts said the waterlogging could occur during the monsoon season. According to environmental law, the production, marketing and use of polythene are illegal. Before the election, the mayor and councilor candidates pledged to create a clean and pollution-free Dhaka.
"I will request all elected councilors and leaders to remove banners, posters and festoons," said Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, the newly-elected mayor of South City Corporation at his office on Green Road on Sunday.
Atiqul Islam, the newly-elected mayor of the North City Corporation, said, “We have requested our leaders and candidates to expedite the removal of posters that have been put up. The city corporations will also perform important role here. ”
Additional Chief Waste Management Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation SM Shafiqur Rahman said, “We have already started removing posters and election campaign materials. The work will be carried out in all areas in phases. ”
He also said, “We are primarily recycling polyethylene with different companies.” Waste Management Advisor (South) Khandaker Millatul Islam said, "The candidates have promised to remove the posters. However, no one did it. Therefore, we started working from Sunday morning. ” Earlier on January 22, The High Court directed to remove these posters after the election.
