Dhaka-19 (Ashulia) Parliamentary Parliamentary Savar Bangladesh Nationalist Party (NP) nominated Dr. Dewan Mohammad Sala. File photo

SAVAR, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - BNP candidate for Dhaka-19 constituency Dr. Dewan Md. Salauddin Babu has said the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election will be a challenging one.
“After the last three or four elections, this is the first time voters are dreaming of being able to go to polling centers and cast their votes for their preferred candidates—something that was not a case before,” he said in an interview with BSS ahead of the national election.
Dr. Dewan Md. Salauddin Babu, an ex-MP from this seat, said there is also strong enthusiasm among young voters, who are eager to go to polling centers and vote.

He said if elected, he would undertake a 100-day action plan, with giving priority to eradicating drugs. 

He said he would personally oversee this initiative. Referring to various allegations against individuals in the surrounding areas and even against the administration, he declared a zero-tolerance policy and expressed hope that the situation would be brought to a tolerable level within two to three months. 
“We do not know how long we will live, but we must do something so that people respect us,” Babu added.
He said 14 points have been identified to ease traffic congestion in Savar–Ashulia, and strengthening traffic management at these points would significantly reduce congestion.

Mentioning necessary steps to stop extortion by occupying footpaths along roads and highways, he said while evicting hawkers may be inhumane, extorting money from them is even more inhumane. 

Reiterating his firm stance against extortion and terrorism, he pledged to build a “Green Savar, Clean Savar” together with everyone, for the general voters. 
He said no matter how powerful those involved in such activities may be, they would be resisted from all sides, and if necessary, removed from their posts and positions.

Regarding instructions to party leaders and activists on complying with the election code of conduct, the BNP leader said he has contested elections before and is familiar with the code of conduct. 

He said he has discussed the matter with the returning officer and that new legal provisions have been added this time, which have been communicated to party leaders and activists. 

He said if the code of conduct is not followed, the Election Commission will not be able to conduct the election properly. 

Therefore, BNP will fully comply with the code of conduct and cooperate in holding a free, fair, and neutral election. 

He added that every party and every candidate should strictly follow the election code of conduct so that the Election Commission can deliver a beautiful, free, fair, and impartial election, which the entire nation is eagerly awaiting.

Clarifying his position in favor of voting “Yes” in the referendum, Dr. Dewan Md. Salauddin said that alongside seeking votes for himself, he would also ask voters to vote “Yes” in the referendum. 

He stated that BNP has joined the election process while supporting the “Yes” vote in the referendum, making the party’s position clear.

Expressing his expectations from the national election, the BNP candidate said he as well as his party leaders and activists are going door to door, assuring every voter that they will be able to vote freely for their preferred candidate without any obstruction. 

He expressed hope that voters in the area would elect an honest and competent candidate for the development of the region, noting that Savar–Ashulia is a complex area and that development would not be possible if the wrong leader is elected.

Ahead of the 13th national election scheduled for February 12, candidates have begun extensive campaign in the Dhaka-19 (Savar–Ashulia) constituency. 
From morning until night, they are seeking votes from voters while adhering to the election code of conduct and making various promises.

In addition to BNP’s Dr. Dewan Md. Salauddin with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol and NCP’s Dilshana Parul, other candidates contesting in this constituency include Jatiya Party candidate Bahadur Islam Imtiaz, Gono Odhikar Parishad’s Sheikh Shawkat Hossain, Islamic Andolon Bangladesh’s Faruk Khan, National People’s Party’s Israfil Hossain Savari, and independent candidate Chowdhury Hasan Sohrabardy.

Dhaka-19 parliamentary constituency has a total of 747,070 voters, including 367,151 female voters and 379,919 male voters. There are a total of 278 polling centers in the constituency.

The electoral equation in this constituency has changed after Jamaat-e-Islami withdrew its candidate and extended support to the NCP candidate. Even so, the main contest is expected to be between BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy and NCP’s Water Lily Bud symbol.
After a long time, general voters of this industrially dense constituency are expecting a free, fair, and participatory election in a country free from fascism.

 Young voters who have been unable to exercise their voting rights for the past 17 years are also eager to vote for the first time.