Across the district’s three constituencies, contenders are placing growing emphasis on women’s empowerment and employment, with women making up nearly half of the electorate.
A total of 22 candidates are contesting the three seats. Election statistics show there are 200,852 female voters in Lalmonirhat-1, 215,761 in Lalmonirhat-2 and 153,081 in Lalmonirhat-3.
Following the prominent role played by women during the July–August mass uprising, many female voters say they now expect concrete action rather than campaign rhetoric.
Rekha Khatun, a 29-year-old resident of Lalmonirhat Sadar, said women do not want to be treated merely as voting machines. “I will vote for the candidate who can ensure a proper system for education and healthcare, along with safe employment,” she said.
Female entrepreneur Rasheda Khatun said the lack of large industrial factories has left many educated women unemployed, calling for easy-term loans and market access for women entrepreneurs.
Rights activist Morium Begum said women must be turned into skilled workers through training, identifying river erosion and unemployment as major challenges for women living along the Teesta riverbanks.
Political leaders have responded to these demands with various pledges:
- Asadul Habib Dulu, BNP Organising Secretary and candidate for Lalmonirhat-3, stated that his party would prioritise education, health, and employment. He asserted that the implementation of the Teesta Mega Plan would bring a revolution to regional agriculture. Furthermore, he promised to reopen Moghalhat Land Port and Lalmonirhat Airport to transform communication, which would indirectly create opportunities for women to become self-reliant.
- Abu Taher, the Lalmonirhat District Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami and a candidate, stated their goal is to increase work opportunities through agro-based industries. He argued that establishing a society based on “Insaf” (justice) would lead to the automatic empowerment of women.
- Zahid Limon, District Member Secretary of the Jatiya Party, remarked that building a modern and smart Lalmonirhat is impossible without women. He pledged to work towards the economic liberation of women at the household level through the development of small and medium-sized industries.
Despite these promises, the district faces steep challenges including narcotics, unemployment, and river erosion. The absence of heavy industry remains a significant barrier to female employment. Furthermore, some conscious voters expressed disappointment at the lack of female candidates in the current election.
The electoral environment in Lalmonirhat remains peaceful thus far. Voters have expressed hope that a fair and neutral atmosphere will be maintained, allowing them to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates without hindrance.
