Thirteen candidates submitted their nomination papers by the last date today to vie for the mayoral post in the upcoming elections of Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC).
"A total of 306 candidates including 13 for the mayoral post, 226 for the general councilor posts in all 33 wards and 67 for the reserved women councilor posts in 11 reserved wards submitted nomination papers by 5 pm today," said Returning Officer for RpCC elections and Rangpur Regional Election Officer Subhash Chandra Sarkar, according to a news agency.
Talking to BSS, Sarkar thanked all intending candidates for the mayoral and councilor posts for submitting their nomination papers peacefully and strictly abiding by the concerned election rules and regulations.
The 13 RpCC mayoral post candidates are: Awami League nominated Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu, Jatiya Party nominated Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, BNP nominated Md Kawser Zaman Babla, Hossain Mokbul Shahriar, Shakil Raihan, Selim Akhter, Abdul Mazid Bir Bikram, ATM Golam Mostafa, Mehedi Hasan Bony, Abdul Kuddus, Nazmul Alam Nazu, AKM Abdur Rouf Manik and only female candidate for mayoral post Sweety Anjum.
"The nomination papers will be scrutinised between November 25 and 26 and the last date of withdrawal of nomination is December 3 next," Returning Officer Subhash Chandra Sarkar said.
"The election symbols would be allocated among the candidates on November 30 and RpCC elections will be held on December 20 next," Sarkar added.
He said 3,93,994 voters including 1,96,356 males and 1,97,638 females will apply their voting rights at 1,122 polling booths of 193 polling centres in all 33 general wards and 11 reserved wards to elect 45 public representatives including a mayor.
Talking to BSS this evening, Sarkar urged all candidates, voters and common people for extending full cooperation in holding the RpCC elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.
"The maiden election to the RpCC was held on December 20, 2012," said, Kamrul Islam, Assistant Returning Officer for RpCC elections adding that 444 candidates including 13 for the mayoral post, 339 for the 33 general councilor posts and 92 for 11 reserved women councilor posts then vied for the maiden RpCC polls.
Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu became the first mayor of Rangpur bagging 1,06,255 votes against 77,805 votes of his nearest rival Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa defeating Mostafa by 28,450 votes in the maiden RpCC polls, Islam added.