DNCC by-Polls: EC announces schedule today

The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the mayoral by-election to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) today. It has already fixed February 26 as the polling day.

The polls schedule of 36 new wards of Dhaka north and south city corporations will also be announced today.

The senior election officer of Dhaka yesterday sent copies of a letter to more than 500 government organisations, banks and educational institutions seeking names for the posts of presiding officer, assistant presiding officer and polling officer.

“As per directives of the Election Commission, we have begun preparing a panel of voting officials. Copies of a letter have been sent to all government organisations, banks and educational institutions seeking names for the posts of electoral officials. The names should be submitted by January 16,” said Faysal Quader, senior election officer of Dhaka.

Election officials said returning and assistant returning officers would be appointed from the EC officials.

An official of joint secretary rank and another of deputy secretary rank will be appointed as returning officers in Dhaka north and south city corporations respectively.

Faysal said neutral officials would be appointed to ensure a fair election.

The post of the DNCC mayor fell vacant after Annisul Huq had passed away on November 30 last year. The Local Government Division declared the post vacant on December 1.

The ruling AL is likely to nominate Atiqul Islam, former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, as its mayor candidate. The BNP is expected to pick party leader Tabith Awal for the post.

Tabith ran against AL contender Annisul in the previous election after the AL-led government had split the Dhaka city corporation into two in November 2011.

Annisul was elected mayor on April 28, 2015 when Tabith boycotted the polls halfway through voting day, alleging widespread rigging.

In terms of population, the DNCC is the country's largest city corporation with 23.45 lakh voters.