National Citizen Party convener and Dhaka-11 candidate from the 10-party alliance in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections, Md Nahid Islam, on Friday pledged to address persistent gas shortages and extortion in the constituency.

Speaking at an election campaign procession in the capital’s Shahjadpur area on the day, Nahid described the two problems as major sources of sufferings for residents and businesses in the area.

If elected, he said, immediate and long-term measures would be taken to bring relief from the crises.

Nahid also pointed to traffic congestion as another chronic problem in Dhaka-11, saying that poor planning and unchecked encroachment had worsened the situation.

He promised coordinated action involving local authorities to improve traffic management and restore order on key roads.

Addressing civic concerns, he alleged that a number of playgrounds and open fields in the constituency had been illegally occupied.

Nahid vowed to recover these spaces and return them to public use, particularly for children and young people.

During the rally, Nahid reiterated his commitment to protecting the integrity of the voting, warning against any attempt to manipulate the polls.

He also urged voters to give a ‘Yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum, terming it a call for reform, good governance and an end to corruption and discrimination.