RAJSHAHI, July 29, 2018 (BSS) – Contestants for both mayoral and
councilors posts for tomorrow’s election to Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC)
have concluded their 19-day long hectic campaign last midnight.
Braving inclement weather, the candidates particularly the heavyweight
mayoral ones were seen arranging huge procession and showdown on the last
campaign day. They also met voters irrespective of age, sex, creed and caste
with posters and leaflets to drum up support for them from early morning to
midnight.
A total of 217 candidates remained in the election race. Of them, five for
mayor, 160 for general councilors and 52 for reserved seats for women
councilors.
AHM Khairuzzaman Liton (Boat), Musaddique Hossain Bulbul (Paddy Sheaf),
Habibur Rahman (Jackfruit), Shafiqul Islam (Hand fan) and Advocate Murad
Murshed (Elephant) are the mayoral aspirants. All of them announced their
election manifestoes promising to work for welfare of the city dwellers.
Syed Amirul Islam, Returning Officer for the RCC election, said there are
3,18,138 voters including 1,62,053 female voters who will exercise their
right of franchise in the election.
He said securities of all the voters will be ensured at any cost on day of
balloting. The EC has been working in a proper coordination with local
administration so that the voters can return to their respective residences
safely after casting their votes.
The returning officer said a five-tier security measures have been
arranged to make the election free, fair and credible.
All the agencies concerned, including the law-enforcement ones, have
already started rendering their duties properly to make the election
peaceful.
He said 30 mobile courts led by executive magistrates are working here to
monitor the election. Magistrates will remain with the striking force BGB in
every ward.
Ten judicial magistrates will also work. At every polling center, 22 to 24
police and Ansar men will be deployed.
Besides, one observer will remain in each of the 30 wards on behalf of the
EC. Besides, each ward will have a mobile striking force of RAB and police on
the day of polling.