National

74 symbols in municipal polls

The Election Commission has kept a total of 72 symbols for all candidates of the December 30 municipal polls.The candidates of the 40 registered political parties will use their party symbols; this means there will be 52 symbols for mayor candidates.The commission has kept 12 symbols for general councilor candidates and 10 for candidates of reserved councilor posts.So, the number of symbols to be used in the polls to 235 municipalities will be 74.EC officials said more symbols will be given if the number of candidates fighting for the three posts exceeds the number of symbols.The last day to withdraw nominations is Dec 13.Campaigns may be launched after the distribution of the symbols on Dec 14.Election Commissioner Md Zabed Ali said on Wednesday the commission will ‘treat the candidates in terms of their individual identities’.‘Their parties and party symbols won’t be a factor,’ Ali said.