Dhaka Mayoral Polls Awami League picks Atiq, Taposh
The Awami League on Sunday nominates Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Md Atiqul Islam as its mayor candidates for Dhaka south and north city elections timetabled for January 30, 2020.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader made the announcement at the party president’s Dhanmondi office.
Earlier on Saturday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party picked up Ishraque Hossain and Tabith Awal as its candidates in Dhaka south and in Dhaka north city mayoral races.
As a result, BNP chairperson’s international affairs adviser Ishraque Hossain will face Fazle Noor Taposh in the Dhaka south city election, while BNP executive committee member Tabith Awal will face Dhaka north city’s incumbent mayor Atiqul Islam in the city election.
After the announcement of his name as a candidate, Fazle Noor Taposh on Sunday resigned as the member of parliament for Dhaka 10 constituency and submitted his resignation letter to speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
Eight mayoral aspirants fought to get Awami League’s nomination in Dhaka south city, while 12 fought to get the party ticket for Dhaka north city elections.
Besides, names of 75 councillor candidates were also announced for Dhaka south city and 54 for Dhaka north city elections during the briefing.
Expressing his gratitude to AL president Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said that he would build a modern city if he would be elected.
Atiqul Islam said that he would continue the development works which had already been started in the north city.
Besides, retired army officer Kamrul Islam and Saifuddin Ahmed Milon emerged as the Jatiya Party nominees for Dhaka north city and south city mayor candidates respectively.
After the city corporation was split, during the 2015 elections Annisul Huq was elected the Dhaka north city mayor while Sayeed Khokon was elected the Dhaka south city mayor.
Atiqul Islam was elected following the death of Annisul Huq.
In Dhaka south city, 23,67,488 voters will elect one mayor, 75 councillors for general wards and 25 councillors for reserved wards for women; while in Dhaka north city, 30,35,621 voters will exercise their franchise to elect one mayor, 54 councillors for general wards, 18 councillors for reserved wards for women.
As per the election schedule, the last date for nomination paper submission to the returning officers is December 31 while the nomination papers would be scrutinised on January 2. The deadline for withdrawing candidature is January 9.
Voters will elect mayors and councillors on electronic voting machines at all polling centres.
Besides, Transparency International Bangladesh in a statement urged the Election Commission to change the Dhaka north and south city election date from January 30 as the Hindu community would celebrate Swaraswati puja on the day.
News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net
