Ruling Awami League-backed mayoral candidate of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Selina Hayat Ivy vowed a fair election. After collecting her symbol as boat, she said, “Ivy is not separated from boat and boat is not separated from Ivy”. She also urged for unity among the party and said, ‘she will accept the results of the election’.
Earlier, the election commission distributed poll symbols to the mayoral and councilor candidates of NCC election slated for 22 December.
The Election Commission (EC) began distributing the symbols among the mayoral and councilor candidates around 10:00am. Returning officer Nuruzzaman Talukdar distributed the symbols among the mayoral and councilor candidates on the first floor at Narayanganj Club.
BNP-backed mayoral candidate for NCC Shakhawat Hossain Khan got sheaf of paddy as electoral symbol. Shakhawat alleged that Ivy is not abiding by electoral code of conducts as government employees of the city corporation were seen taking part in her campaign processions, he said.
He said, he wants to keep faith on the EC and urged it to step up measures for holding a free and fair election.
However, the returning officer after ending distribution of the electoral symbols told the reporters, ‘we have formed a cell to maintain law and order. And I will observe and monitor the situation’.
The voting for electing a mayor will be held on party lines for the first time. On Dec 22, people will vote to choose their next mayor among seven candidates. The other mayoral candidates Rashed Ferdous of Kollyan Party got electoral symbol wrist watch, Kamal Prodhan of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) umbrella, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman of Bilobi Workers Party spade, Mufti Masum Billah of Islami Andolon Bangladesh hand-fan and Mufti Ezharul Huq of Islami Oikkya Jote got ‘minar’.
The maiden election to NCC was held on 30 October 2011 when Ivy was elected the country’s first female city mayor defeating Awami League-backed Shamim Osman.
Narayangonj Correspondent
