Voting in City Corporation elections of Barishal and Khulna cities began on Monday (June 12) morning. Voters are seen standing in long queues at polling centres to cast their votes using electronic voting machines (EVM) in a peaceful manner.
The voting started at 8:00am and will continue until 4:00pm without any break.
To control law and order in the electoral area, additional law enforcers, including Police, RAB, BGB, Ansar-VDP and APBN, have been deployed.
The EC already installed some 2,310 CCTV cameras to constantly monitor the polling centres.
All seven mayor candidates for the Barishal City Corporation (BCC) cast their votes by electric voting machines (EVMs) at their respective polling centres here this morning.
According to the sources in the Returning Officer’s office, Awami League (AL) backed mayor candidate Abul Khair Abdullah alias Khokon Sherniabat (Boat) has cast his vote at Government Barishal College Centre at Abdur Rab Sherniabat Road in the city.
Meanwhile, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate (Hand fan) Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim has cast his vote at Abdur Rab SAherniabat High School Centre near Rupatoli Housing under ward number 24.
Jatiya Party backed mayor candidate Engineer Iqbal Hossain Taposh (Plough) has cast his vote at Syed Abdul Mannan DDF Alim Madrasha centre in city’s Gorosthan Road. Zaker Party candidate (Rose) Md Mizanur Rahman Bachhu cast his vote at Chhahutpur High school centre under ward number 28 of the city corporation.
Besides, independent mayor candidate (Table clock) Md Kamrul Hassan Rupon has cast his vote at Alekanda Government Primary School centre at Kalu Shah Road.
Another independent mayor candidate (Deer) Md Ali Hossain Hawlader cast his vote at Chhahutpur Iskandar Sharif Government Primary School centre under ward number 28.
Besides, another independent mayor candidate Journalist Asaduzzaman (Elephant) has cast his vote at Barishal City College Centre on Bir Shrestha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Road.
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Md. Ahsan Habib Khan said Khulna and Barishal City Corporations elections are being held in a free and fair manner.
He said, "All election commissioners, along with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, are monitoring the elections through CCTV cameras. The presence of voters in such a festive atmosphere since morning, is beyond imagination. It assures voters of the fair election arrangement and motivates them to come to the polling centers."
Ahsan Habib Khan made this comment while monitoring the elections on Monday (June 12) through CCTV cameras.
In Barishal, 276,298 voters will vote to choose the mayor and councillors.
Of the voters, 137,489 are males, and 138,809 are females. Seven mayoral candidates, 118 general councillor candidates, and 42 reserved councillor candidates will vie in the elections.
In Khulna, 535,529 voters will vote to choose the mayor and councillors. Of the voters, 268,833 are males, and 266,696 are women.
A total of 180 candidates are contesting the election. Of them, five are contesting for the mayor's post, 136 for the general councillor's post and 39 for the reserved ward councillor's post.
In Barishal, competition will be tough between Awami League mayor nominee Abul Khair Abdullah and Islami Andolon Bangladesh's Mufti Syed Faizul, city dwellers said.
BDST: 1412 HRS, JUNE 12, 2023
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