Sylhet: Mayoral candidates commit to fair polls

All seven mayoral candidates of the upcoming Sylhet city polls held hands and made a pledge for a free and fair election yesterday at a programme.

The 'face to face with citizens' programme, organised by the Sylhet chapter of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), was held at Mohammad Ali Gynmasium at Rikabibazar area in the city at noon.

Mayoral candidates Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran (Awami League), Ariful Haque Chowdhury (BNP), Abu Jafor (CPB-Basod), Dr Moazzem (Islami Andolon Bangladesh), Badruzzaman Selim (rebel BNP), Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer (Jamaat-e-Islami supported independent) and Ehsaul Haque Taher (independent) were present at the programme.

Shujan's secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar coordinated the event while Shujan's Sylhet chapter president Faruque Mahmud Chowdhury presided over.

All seven mayoral candidates spoke about their vision if they are elected as Sylhet City Mayor. They then signed a written document, prepared by Shujan, committing to a free and fair election. Each candidate also had to answer two questions from the citizens about their problems regarding the city and how they intend to solve those.

Shujan will be holding similar programme at Barishal and Rajshahi City on July 13 and 14 respectively. They also have plans to hold 10 programmes with city councillor candidates at 10 random wards of Sylhet city.

ELECTORAL RULE VIOLATIONS

Amid the festive mood of election campaigns that began yesterday, some candidates are violating electoral rules.

Awami League candidate Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran's election camp has been set in Mirjajangal area, but he set up  a huge gate near the road, which is a clear violation of the code of conduct. According to the section 16 (a) of “City Corporation (electoral behaviour) rules 2016”, no gate can be built for election campaigns.

BNP candidate Ariful Haque Chowdhury placed his election camp at Mita Community Centre at Kazitula, and Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer placed his at Nure Ala Community centre at Electric Supply Road.

In the section 16 (b) of “City Corporation (electoral behaviour) rules 2016”, it is mentioned that no election camp can be built with more than 36 square metre space.

Proloy Kumar Saha, assistant returning officer of the election, said no objection about the gates or the election camps has been filed with the EC office, and they will take action once they get a complaint.