10 municipalities go to polls today

Ten municipalities in nine districts are going to polls today with the participation of two major political parties -- Awami League and BNP.

The voting will open at 8:00am and continue till 4:00pm without any break.

The 10 municipalities are Haragachh in Rangpur, Kaliganj in Jhenidah, Jhalakathi, Bhanga in Faridpur, Brahmanbaria and Nangalkot in Comilla, Kabirhat in Noakhali, Sonagazi in Feni, and Chakoria and Maheshkhali in Cox's Bazar.

The Election Commission has completed necessary preparations for the election, Rajib Ahsan, assistant secretary at the EC Secretariat, told UNB yesterday.

More than 35 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise at 176 polling centres in the 10 municipalities.

As many as 42 mayoral candidates, including 10 each from Awami League and BNP, are contesting the polls.

Besides, there are 293 candidates in the election race for 93 general councillor posts, while 106 are contesting for 31 reserved seats for women.

Elections to 234 municipalities, out of the country's 323, were held with the participation of 20 political parties on December 30, 2015.

Our Jhenidah correspondent reported that Moksed Ali Mandal from ruling Awami League (AL), rebel candidate (now independent) Masudur Rahman Mantu, BNP candidate Atiar Rahman,  BNP rebel candidate Ashrafuzzaman Lal and Bangladesh Islami Oikyo Jote candidate Nurul Islam are contesting for the mayoral post.

Mantu said he is not a rebel candidate as he did not seek nomination from the party. The voters of the municipality will elect him as their mayor if a free and fair election is held, he added.

Returning Officer Jahangir Hossain said 18 polling centres out of 19 are risky, but all preparations were completed to make the election peaceful and impartial.