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RCC-POLLING-BEGIN (with picture)
RCC balloting begins amid festive mood
RAJSHAHI, July 30, 2018 (BSS) – Polling in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC)
began here this morning amid tight security and festive mood as voters are
seen standing in long queue to cast their right to franchise.
Awami League nominated mayoral candidate AHM Khairuzzaman Liton cast his
vote at Satellite Town High School polling center at 8 am. After casting
vote, he expressed his hope about victory to journalists.
BNP nominee Musaddique Hossain Bulbul also voted at the same centre at
8.45 am. Talking to the newsmen, he also expressed his optimism about win.
The polling began in 1,020 booths under 138 centres in all 30 wards of the
city corporation since 8 am and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
Around 138 presiding officers, 1,020 assistant presiding officers and 2,040
polling officers have been appointed to make balloting successful.
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is being used in two centres at BB Hindu
Academy. Around 1,637 male and 1,746 female voters will cast votes through
EVM for the first time here.
Syed Amirul Islam, Regional Election Officer and Returning Officer for the
RCC election, told BSS that there are 3,18,138 voters including 1,62,053
female voters will exercise their right to franchise to elect one mayor, 30
general councilors and 10 women councilors in reserved seats.
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 contesting for mayoral post.
Islam said the EC is working in a proper coordination with local
administration so that the voters can return to their respective residences
safely after casting their votes.
“We are hopeful for holding the election in free, fair and peaceful
manner,” he said.
“Stern action will be taken against the people who are found to be involved
in making the elections questionable,” he added.
Islam said none will go unpunished if he or she is found guilty in
hindering the process of holding the election free and fair manner. There are
adequate security measures in all centres with deployment of RAB, police, BGB
and Ansar.
BSS/AH/GMR/1023 hrs