7 to vie for mayoral posts in 2 hill dists

After withdrawal of candidature by one more independent candidate, a triangular contest is evident among three mayor aspirants in the election to Khagrachhari municipality scheduled for January 18.
The contenders are Awami League backed candidate Nurun Nabi Chowdhury, Khagrachhari Nagorik Committee backed candidate Rafiqul Alam and United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) backed candidate Dhiman Khisha, reports our correspondent.
No one is contesting from main opposition BNP for the mayoral post, according to a correspondent.
Independent mayoral candidate Muktar Mia quit the election race on Thursday. He announced the decision at a press conference at his Shantinagar resident in Khagrachhari town in the evening.
Seeking apology from his supporters, Muktar urged them to cast their valuable votes for a qualified, competent and honest candidate.
Earlier on Tuesday, another independent mayoral candidate advocate Nazrul Islam withdrew his candidature on personal grounds.
A total of 30,426 voters are expected to exercise their right to franchise in 16 ecntres in the municipality.
Our Rangamati correspondent reported that four mayor aspirants are in the election race in Rangamati municipality.
They are Awami League backed candidate Abdul Matin, BNP backed candidate Saiful Islam Bhutto, and independent candidates Pratim Roy Pampu and Mohsin Rana.
Three candidates for the mayoral post had earlier withdrew their candidature. As many as 53,430 voters are expected cast their votes in 27 centres on January 18 for their chosen mayor and councilor candidates.
Sixty-five candidates are contesting for nine councillor posts of the municipality. They are going door-to-door to woo votes. Nine women are also in the race for three reserve seats.
Locals expect a triangular contest among mayoral candidates Abdul Matin, Pratim Roy Pampu and Saiful Islam Bhutto.