5th phase polls to 29 municipalities tomorrow

The fifth phase elections will be held in 29 municipalities under 20 districts using electronic voting machines (EVMs) tomorrow. 

A total of 1,712 candidates, including 100 mayoral contenders, are in the electoral race against some 417 posts in the election to the municipalities to be held on Sunday, according to the Election Commission (EC).

Some 1,384,185 voters are expected to exercise their franchise at 625 polling stations in tomorrow's local body election.

Among the 29 local bodies, no balloting will be required in Raozan municipality of Chattogram on Sunday as all the candidates have already been elected uncontested there. 

Also, Awami League mayoral contestants have already been elected unopposed in two other municipalities -- Shibchar of Madaripur and Mirsarai of Chattogram.

Besides, the polls to two other municipalities -- Jashore and Dewanganj of Jamalpur -- were postponed following the court's orders.

However, Syedpur municipality of Nilphamari was later added to the list of the fifth phase.

The 29 municipalities include: Haragach in Ranpur, Syedpur in Nilphamari, Charghat and Durgapur in Rajshahi, Nachole in Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Bogura, Kaliganj and Maheshpur in Jhenaidah, Keshabpur in Jashore, Bhola and Charfesson in Bhola, Madaripur and Shibchar of Madaripur, Nandail in Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Islampur and Madarganj in Jamalpur, Singair in Manikganj, Kaliganj in Gazipur, Bhairab in Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Matlab and Shahrasti in Chandpur, Raipur in Lakshmipur, Mirsarai, Baraiyarhat and Rangunia in Chattogram.