RAJSHAHI, July 29, 2018 (BSS) – Election Commission (EC) has completed all
the necessary preparations for peacefully and successfully holding election
to Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) tomorrow.
“We are very much prepared and hopeful for holding the election in free,
fair and peaceful manner,” said Syed Amirul Islam, regional election officer
and returning officer for the RCC election.
“Stern action will be taken against the people who are found to be
involved in making the elections questionable,” he said. Amirul Islam said
none will go unpunished if he or she is found guilty of hindering the process
of holding the election free and fair.
Islam said there are 3,18,138 voters including 1,62,053 female voters
who will exercise their right of franchise to elect one mayor, 30 general
councilors and 10 women councilors in reserved seats.
He said polling will be held in 1,020 booths of 138 centres in all 30
wards of the city corporation. For the purpose, 138 presiding officers, 1,020
assistant presiding officers and 2,040 polling officers were given necessary
training.
Transparent ballot boxes, papers and other documents were distributed
among the polling officials today.
Balloting will be held through Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in two
centres at BB Hindu Academy. There are two centres for male and female voters
separately. 1,637 male voters will cast votes in five booths and 1,746 female
voters cast votes in six booths through EVM for the first time here.
A total of 217 candidates remained in the election race. Of them, five
for mayor, 160 for general councilors and 52 for reserved seats for women
councilors.
AHM Khairuzzaman Liton with boat symbol, Musaddique Hossain Bulbul with
paddy sheaf symbol, Habibur Rahman with jackfruit symbol, Shafiqul Islam with
hand fan and Advocate Murad Murshed with elephant symbol are contesting for
mayoral post.
Islam said the EC is working in a proper coordination with local
administration so that the voters can return to their respective residences
safely after casting their votes.
The returning officer said the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has
identified 114 centres out of total 138 as vulnerable. In this context, he
said additional security measures will be arranged for the risky centres.
Besides, there will be adequate security measures in all centres through
deployment of RAB, police, BGB and Ansar.