2,260 collect nomination forms for DCC polls
As many as 2,260 mayoral and councillor aspirants have so far collected nomination forms to take part in the January 30 polls to two Dhaka city corporations.
Today is the last day for filing nominations with the returning officers. The ROs have warned that stern actions will be taken if anyone violates the electoral code of conduct during submission of nomination forms.
Abul Kashem, returning officer for Dhaka North City Corporation polls, has urged the candidates not to bring out any procession or stage any showdown during filing nominations.
He said a candidate could not take more than five people along with him to the RO’s office for submitting nominations. “If anyone violates the rule, we will fine him and take legal actions.”
Meanwhile, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam resigned yesterday to contest the upcoming polls as the Awami League’s mayoral candidate.
His resignation letter was sent to the Local Government Division, and the government accepted it, said a circular of the division.
According to the RO’s office for Dhaka South City Corporation polls, eight mayoral hopefuls, 1,347 general councillor aspirants and 190 woman councillor hopefuls collected nomination forms till 5:00pm yesterday against one, 75, and 25 posts respectively.
Among others, AL nominee Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, BNP candidate Ishraque Hossain, Jatiya Party candidate Mohammad Saifuddin, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh nominee Abdur Rahman have collected nomination forms for the post of DSCC mayor.
DNCC RO office sources said 10 mayoral aspirants, 828 general councillor hopefuls and 177 women councillor aspirants have collected nomination forms till 5:00pm yesterday against one, 54, and 18 posts respectively.
Among others, AL candidate Atiqul, BNP nominee Tabith Awal, Jatiya Party candidate GM Kamrul Islam, Communist Party of Bangladesh candidate Sajedul Huq Rubel, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh nominee Sheikh Md Fazle Bari Masud collected nomination forms for the post of DNCC mayor.
The ROs will scrutinise nomination papers on January 2. The last day for withdrawal of candidature is January 9.
According to statistics of the Election Commission, the two corporations have over 54.02 lakh voters -- 30.35 lakh in DNCC and 23.67 lakh in DSCC.
NO TRANSFER WITHOUT PERMISSION
The EC yesterday wrote to the Cabinet Division not to transfer the officials involved in electoral activities without its permission during the Dhaka city polls.
The commission also urged the authorities not to transfer anyone until 15 days after the publication of the polls results.
EC Senior Secretary Md Alamgir in the letter said returning and assistant returning officers have already been appointed to conduct the elections.
A divisional commissioner has also been appointed to deal with candidates’ appeals against decisions of ROs over cancellation of candidature or any other issues, the letter said.
KHOKON ACCEPTS AL DECISION
DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon yesterday said he accepted the decision of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina regarding his candidacy.
“I have accepted the decision happily,” he told journalists at the Nagar Bhaban after failing to win party’s ticket.
He said his leader (PM Hasina) has taken the decision considering whatever is better for him.
Asked about helping the AL candidate during the polls campaign, the mayor said he would decide after discussing the matter with the PM.
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