Most CCC candidates own businesses

Two-thirds of the total 286 mayor and councillor candidates in Chittagong city own businesses and one fifth face cases, shows an analysis of their profiles by civil society body SHUJAN.

Shushashoner Jannoy Nagorik (SHUJAN) revealed the report through a news conference at Chittagong Press Club yesterday.

The findings show that 188 candidates, or 65.73 percent, are involved with businesses, while three mayoral aspirants -- AZM Nasir Uddin, M Manjur Alam and Solaiman Alam Seth -- have properties worth over Tk 5 crore.

Sixty-three candidates, or 22 percent of the total, are accused in at least one case, while the educational qualification of 156 candidates (54.54 percent) is SSC or below SSC, and only 71 aspirants (24.82 percent) are graduates and postgraduates.

Prof Sikander Khan, president of SHUJAN, Chittagong chapter, said the information of candidates would help voters choose their favourites.

Expressing fears that violence may occur on polling day its Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said, "The Election Commission should deploy army if it feels that is necessary." After the last upazila pols, the EC said it would not take responsibilities for the violence, but it is the EC's duty to ensure peace so that voters can reach the polling centres safely and cast ballots without fear, he added.