C T Online Desk: In the 50 years of independence, no female chairman candidate has participated in any upazila, municipality or union level election in Bandarban. However, this is the first time that a woman named Mashaikhing Marma, a student of Romangchhari Upazila of Bandarban, is taking part in the election.
As a result of ensuring the empowerment of women and educating them in the field of women’s education during the tenure of the present government, women are also coming forward in their representative duties, according to the locals and election officials.
According to sources, in the fourth phase, Union Parishad (UP) elections are going to be held on December 28 in eight unions of Thanchi and Roachhari upazilas of Bandarban. This is the first time in 50 years of independence that Mashaikhing Marma has taken to the field to contest for the post of chairman with the symbol of Pineapple in Alekshyang Union in Bandarban.
Mashaikhing Marma is the daughter of Puhla Aung Marma, a resident of Amtalipara and former Upazila Vice Chairman of Ward No. 8 of Alexang Union in Roangchhari Upazila of Bandarban. In addition to her undergraduate studies, Mashaikhing Marma is currently teaching at a private school in Roangchhari. And for the implementation of women’s rights, fighting for the post of chairman is now running day and night to the doorsteps of the voters.
Mashaikhing Marma told banglanews, “As a woman chairman candidate, I am getting a lot of encouragement from everyone in my area. I am happy and delighted with the way the people of Alekshang have come to my side.” If the people give me the opportunity to be by their side with their valuable votes, then I, as a woman chairman, will work with various initiatives for the development and empowerment of the backward women of the area.
He further said, “I will go ahead with various facilities especially for women including education, health and communication.” Not as a chairman, I am looking for the opportunity to serve the people by being their mother, sister, daughter.
After a long time, the locals have applauded the fight of the first female chairman candidate with a vow to protect the rights of women and work for the welfare of women in remote hilly areas.
Kya Aung Singh Marma, a resident of Alekshyang UP in Roangchhari, told banglanews that for a long time in Bandarban, our mothers and sisters could not go to the male chairman to raise their issues with him.
We, the people of Aleksandh, are especially happy to be the Mashaikhing chairman candidate. I hope that the backward women of the area will come forward through Mashaikhing.
Thuinupru Marma, a resident of Kachapatli in Roangchhari, told banglanews that we are very happy to have Mashaikhing as female chairman candidate. We women can now easily go to her to solve our problems, so we want women like Mashaikhing Marma to come forward in their representative role in the society.
Anandapriti Tanchangya, a resident of Kachpatali, said Mashaikhing is a well-educated woman. We hope that you will try to solve the problems of the area in a very short time.
Meanwhile, family members are also working together on the challenge as Mashaikh Marmar is the chairman.
“I have learned a lot from watching my sister since I was a child,” said Ma Eching Marma, younger sister of Mashaikhing Marma. I have been seeing different aspects of leadership among my sisters since childhood. If my sister is elected, the equality of men and women of the area will be realized. Although the first chairman candidate as a woman my older sister has to face and will have to face many challenges in that case.
Puhla Aung Marma, the father of Mashaikhing Marma, told banglanews that his daughter Mashaikhing Marma is going to elect the pineapple symbol as an independent candidate of Roangchhari Alekshyang Union Parishad. Since no female candidate has ever been nominated for the post of Chairman in Bandarban district, my daughter is interested in getting elected, so I want her to move forward as a woman.
Bandarban District Election Officer Mohammad Rezaul Karim told banglanews that the participation of women in the elections will ensure the elimination of women and the administration is working to ensure the participation of all in the elections and to hold a free and fair election. He further said that in the fourth phase, polling for UP elections is going to be held on December 26 in 6 unions of Thanchi and Roachhari upazilas of Bandarban. There are 22 candidates for the post of chairman, 56 candidates for the reserved post and 16 candidates for the general post.
