Aspirants gear up for 1st M'singh city polls

With date for submission of candidature approaching, aspirants for the maiden election to Mymensingh City Corporation (MCC) have already started working in their respective areas.

The election to MCC will be held on May 5, Election Commission announced on March 25. As per schedule, EC set April 8 for submission of nomination papers, April 10 for scrutinising those and April 17 for withdrawal.

Meanwhile, city unit of Awami League (AL) on Tuesday sent a proposal of six mayoral aspirants to the central committee.

They are: city AL president Ehteshamul Alam, its secretary Mohit-ur-Rahman Shanto, vice president Ekramul Haque Titu, executive member AKM Sajjad Hossain Shaheen, member Faramarge Al Noor Rajib and former general secretary Sadek Khan Milky Toju.

Ekramul, former mayor of Mymensingh municipality, is the incumbent administrator of MCC. Except for him, all are new faces, AL sources said.

Other parties are also gearing up for the polls.

Abu Musa Sarker, joint secretary of Jatiya Party's district unit, has joined the race for mayoral post. His posters are pasted in different areas of the city.

Monira Begum Anu, district unit member of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad's Mymensingh district unit, announced her candidature as per party's decision.

For many residents, Ekramul is a known figure as he started his career as a councillor of Mymensingh municipality, then became a panel mayor, and later was elected mayor.

Among other AL nomination seekers, Alam and Shanto have strong grassroots support, according to party sources. Shanto is son of former minister for religious affairs Principal Motiur Rahman.

Since the polls announcement, the city is abuzz with political activities. Rallies and processions in support of aspirants are being organised on a regular basis.

Aspirants are also trying their best to woo prospective voters with pledges such as making the city free from corruption, criminal activities, traffic jam, and also improve civic amenities for residents.

The government on April 2 last year recognised Mymensingh as the country's 12th city corporation. The total land area of MCC is 91.135 square kilometres and population is 471,858.

For the maiden election to MCC, EVMs will be used at all 130 voting centres of 33 wards, said Sarwar Jahan, district election officer.