2,260 collect nomination forms for Dhaka city polls

A total of 2,260 aspirants have so far collected nomination forms to take part in Dhaka north and south city corporation elections scheduled to be held on January 30.

The last date for submitting the nomination forms to returning officers is December 31. Returning officers warned that stern actions will be taken if anyone violates electoral code of conduct during submission of nomination papers.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) returning officer Abul Kashem urged the candidates not to bring any procession or showdown during the submission of nomination forms.

He said aspirants can be accompanied by not more than five people while going to returning officers for submitting their papers. “If anyone violates the rule, we will fine and will take legal action against them," he said.

According to Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) returning office till 5:00pm today, eight aspirants have collected nomination papers for one mayor post, 1,347 for 75 general councillor posts and 190 for 25 reserved ward councillor posts for women.

Among others Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, AL leader Haji Selim, BNP candidate Ishraq Hossain, Jatiya Party candidate Mohammad Saifuddin, Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Abdur Rahman collected the nomination forms for mayor post of the DSCC.

DNCC returning office sources said that 10 aspirants have collected nomination papers for one mayor post, 828 for 54 general councillor posts and 177 have collected nomination forms for 18 reserved ward councillor post for women.

Among others, AL candidate Atiqul Islam, AL leader Salauddin Mahmud, BNP candidate Tabith Awal, Jatiya Party candidate GM Kamrul Islam, Communist Party of Bangladesh candidate Sajedul Huq Rubel, Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Sheikh Md Fazle Bari Masud collected the nomination forms.

The last date for submitting nomination papers is December 31, the returning offices will scrutinise nomination papers on January 2 and the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 9.

NO TRANSFER WITHOUT EC APPROVAL

The Election Commission (EC) today wrote to the cabinet division secretary not to transfer election-related officials without prior permission during the DNCC and DSCC polls.

The EC urged not to transfer anyone without prior permission of commission till 15 days after publication of election result.

EC’s Senior Secretary Md Alamgir in the letter said that returning and assistant returning officers have already been appointed to conduct the elections.

Divisional Commissioner also has been appointed as the appellate authority in dealing with candidates’ appeals against returning officers’ decision in rejection of candidacy or any other issues, Alamgir said in the letter.

According to the needs, presiding, assistant presiding and polling officers have also been appointed from different government and non-government organisations to conduct the polls in a free and fair manner, he said.

According to the EC, the two city corporations have over 54.02 lakh voters -- 30.35 lakh in DNCC and 23.67 lakh in DSCC -- to cast their votes in the elections.