Voting Underway in 24 Municipalities

Voting in the first phase of the elections to 24 municipalities began on Monday morning amid the prevailing coronavirus situation in the country.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are being used in elections that began at 8:00 a.m. and will continue till 4:00 p.m. without any break, reports media. 

Executive and judicial magistrates, along with members of various law enforcement agencies, including BGB, RAB, police and Ansar, are monitoring the elections.

Candidates from the Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party are vying for mayoral posts in the municipal areas.

Independent candidates are also taking part in the election.

More than 1,000 candidates are contesting for the posts of mayor and councillor in the first phase elections.

Although the pre-poll environment has been peaceful, clashes were reported in a few areas.

The second phase of the elections to the 61 municipalities will take place on 16 January. The EVM will be used in 29 municipalities, while the vote will take place in the remaining 32 municipalities.

According to the latest schedule, the third phase of the elections will take place on 30 January in 64 municipalities. Municipalities eligible to vote by February will witness a fourth round of voting.

There are a total of 329 municipalities in the country. The law requires the local government body to conduct polls within 90 days before the end of a term.