Contestants for both mayoral and councilors posts for the Monday’s election to Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) are now waging their last phase campaign for gaining voters’ support, reports BSS.
Braving inclement weather the candidates are seen meeting voters irrespective of age, sex and creed and caste with posters and leaflets to drum up support for them from early morning to midnight.
Flanked by large number of party leaders and workers the mayoral contestants are also seen meeting voters seeking their support throughout the day.
Workers and activists of the candidates were seen very much busy hanging posters and using loudspeaker. Entire parts of the city got a new look with huge posters, banners and festoons.
A total of 217 candidates are contesting the election. Of them, five for mayor, 160 for general councilors and 52 for reserved seats for women councilors.
AHM Khairuzzaman Liton (Boat), Musaddique Hossain Bulbul (Paddy Sheaf), Habibur Rahman (Jackfruit), Shafiqul Islam (Hand fan) and Advocate Murad Murshed (Elephant) are the mayoral aspirants.
All of them announced their election manifestoes promising doing welfare for the city dwellers.
Syed Amirul Islam, Returning Officer for the RCC election, said there are 3,18,138 voters including 1,62,053 female voters who will exercise their right of franchise in the upcoming election.
He said security of all the voters in the upcoming election will be ensured at any cost on day of balloting.
The EC has been 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 three-tier security measures will be ensured to make the election free, fair and credible.
All the agencies concerned, including the law-enforcement ones, will render their duties properly to make the election meaningful and acceptable to all.
He said 30 mobile courts led by executive magistrates will work here to monitor the election. Magistrates will remain with the striking force with BGB in every ward.
Ten judicial magistrates will also work. At every polling center, 22 to 24 police and Ansar men will be deployed.
Besides, one observer will remain in each of the 30 wards on behalf of the EC. Besides, each ward will have a mobile striking force of RAB and police on the day of polling.