Electioneering for Dhaka city polls ends

All kinds of electioneering for by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral post and election to newly inducted ward councilors posts in DNCC and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) ended from midnight on Tuesday (February 26) ahead of the polls slated for Thursday next.

“No candidate or none in favor of any candidate can conduct any meeting, rally or procession from midnight in the DNCC areas,” Returning Officer of the DNCC mayoral polls Md Abul Kashem told BSS on Tuesday.

He said outsiders will have to leave the election areas by 12 midnight on Tuesday, but the examinees of public examination will be beyond the directives.

“No offices will remain open on that day in DNCC area. But Public examinations will be held as per schedule. Those students who are residing in hostel or residence for their study purpose will be beyond the directives of leaving the election areas” the RO said.

The Election Commission (EC) imposed a ban on movement of motorbikes in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) areas for its by-polls from 12 midnight on Tuesday (February 26) to 12 midnight on March 1, said a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Atiur Rahman.

It said, along with DNCC, the restriction will also put into effect at Amtoli Municipality of Barguna district and Kaliganj Municipality of Jhenaidha district where by-polls to mayoral posts of the two municipalities will also be held at the same time.

The by-polls to DNCC and the two municipalities will be held on February 28, beginning at 8 am which will continue to 4pm without any break.

Besides, the EC also imposed restriction on moving auto rickshaws, easy-bikes, microbuses, pickups, cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles in DNCC areas from February 27 midnight to February 28 midnight.

DNCC polls RO Abul Kashem said ban on traffic movement will be relaxed on highways and inter-district roads inside DNCC considering the issue of public sufferings but vehicular movement on connecting roads will remain under ban.

Contesting candidates, election agents, local and foreign election observers and journalists, official and employees concerned to the election will be beyond the ban of vehicular movement on the basis receiving permission from returning officer.

Stringent security measures have been taken to avert any untoward incident during the election, he said.

Five candidates will contest the DNCC mayoral post that fell vacant following the death of its mayor Annisul Huq.

Some 124 candidates are vying in election to 18 new wards of DNCC and 45 candidates are contesting for reserved councilor posts.

For election to 18 new wards of DSCC, some 125 candidates are vying while there are 24 candidates for reserved posts.

Source: bss