RCC election campaign ends

Contestants for both mayor and councilors posts for tomorrow’s election to Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) have concluded their 19-day long hectic campaign last midnight.

The candidates, particularly the heavyweight mayoral one, were seen arranging a 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 161 candidates remained in the election race. Of them, three for mayor, 112 for general councilors in 30 wards and 46 for 10 reserved seats for women councilors.

The mayoral candidates are: Bangladesh Awami League nominated and former mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton (Boat), Jatiya Party candidate Saiful Islam Swapan (Plough) and Jaker Party Latif Anwar (Rose).

All of them announced their election manifestos promising to work for welfare of the city dwellers.

Delwar Hossain, Returning Officer for the RCC election, said there are 3,51,982 voters to exercise their right of franchise in EVM in 1,153 rooms of 155 polling centres in 30 wards from 8am to 4pm without any break.

He said securities of all the voters will be ensured at any cost on the day of balloting. The EC has been working in a proper coordination with local administration and law enforcing agencies so that the voters can return to their respective residences safely after casting their votes.

The returning officer said five-tier security measures have been arranged to make the election free, fair and credible.

Installation works of close circuit cameras in each of the polling centres are on the final stage.

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 police, RAB and 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. (BSS)