We congratulate Jatiya Party's Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa in winning the race in the mayoral elections in Rangpur, that too by a wide margin against the two other contestants from Awami League and BNP. Unofficial results from all 93 polling centres show that Rahman has received 1,60,489 votes against his nearest rival from AL who received 62,400 votes and BNP rival who got 35,136 votes. The win was not so surprising, considering that Rangpur is a stronghold of JP with its chairperson HM Ershad being its representative in parliament. But the victory is also indicative of Rahman's popularity in his district although he had been defeated in the last mayoral elections by the AL candidate five years ago which was held on a nonpartisan basis.

The Rangpur elections with a turnout of about 74.3 percent, according to a report, is considered a significant success for the Election Commission for being able to ensure a peaceful election with no major report of foul play. Besides BNP's allegations of intimidation in some poll centres, which the EC should investigate, the people of Rangpur seem to be pleased with the way the polls have been conducted. 

The Rangpur mayoral polls have given us a glimmer of hope that this may be the trend in all the upcoming polls. A strong presence of law enforcement members seemed to have ensured a fairly peaceful election. The biggest test for the EC will be during the parliamentary elections by the end of 2018 to see whether such a congenial manner can be maintained. Will the major opposition parties be able to contest the general elections without any intimidation or obstacles to their right to assemble or campaign? We certainly hope so. Let the Rangpur elections be an example that will be emulated in the general elections.