Mymensingh, Cumilla Cities Go To Polls

Voting has begun for over 200 local government positions, including representatives for the cities of Mymensingh and Cumilla and six municipalities, two months after the general election. Polling began at 8am on Saturday and will continue without any interruptions until 4pm. The election marks the second for Mymensingh City Corporation while Cumilla city is holding a by-poll for the mayor's post.

Additionally, voting is taking place in Patuakhali Municipality in Patuakhali District, Bakshiganj Municipality in Jamalpur District, and Amtali Municipality in Barguna District. By-elections for the mayor's position are also being held in Mymensingh's Trishal Municipality, Munshiganj Municipality, and Bogura's Shivganj Municipality.

In total, 233 positions across various levels of local government, including city corporations, district councils, municipal councils, and union councils, are up for grabs on Saturday. Shariful Alam, an Election Commission spokesman, noted that voting in municipalities, district councils, and city corporations is being conducted through electronic voting machines, while the remaining elections are utilising traditional ballot papers.

The 12th parliamentary elections, which took place on Jan 7, saw a boycott from a third of the registered political parties in the country, with the EC reporting a 42 percent voter turnout. As the first significant wave of local government voting since the national vote, observers are keeping a keen eye on the turnout in this round of elections.

One of the main talking points in the lead-up to the local government elections was the Awami League's decision not to issue party nominations or symbols. Consequently, four out of five mayoral candidates in Mymensingh are affiliated with the Awami League, alongside a Jatiya Party candidate, who is the sole participant running under a party symbol.

In Cumilla, two candidates have ties to the ruling Awami League, with two expelled BNP leaders running as independents, leaving no candidate with a party symbol. For security, 16-member law enforcement units have been assigned to general polling centres, while 17-strong teams are deployed at high-risk centres.

"We've taken necessary measures to ensure law and order, deploying additional forces and magistrates where needed," Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said. Meanwhile the authority said that the voting for Mymensingh City Corporation election and Cumilla city’s mayoral by-polls are underway in a peaceful manner. 

In Cumilla, a total of 2,42,458 voters are expected to exercise their franchise. The post of Cumilla city mayor fell vacant following the death of Mayor Arfanul Haque Rifat on December 13 last year. Dr Tahsin Bahar Suchona, Nizam Uddin Kaisar, former mayor Manirul Haque Sakku and Nur-ur-Rahman are vying for the mayoral post. In Mymensingh, balloting to elect Mymensingh City Corporation began in the morning using electronic voting machines achines. Returning officer Mohammad Belayet Hossain Chowdhury said apart from striking forces, seven platoons of BGB, 11 platoons of police, armed police, Ansar members and 17 teams of RAB members will remain on the field to ensure security.

Besides, 33 executive magistrates and 11 judicial magistrates are performing their duties. Four policemen and 12 Ansar members are performing their duties at each polling station.

Ikramul Haque Titu, Ehteshamul Alam, Advocate Sadequl Haque Khan Milky, Rezaul Haque, and Shahidul Islam Swapan are contesting for the mayoral post. Besides, 149 councillors and 69 women councilors are contesting the polls for 32 ward councillor posts and 11 reserved seats for women.

Earlier on January 24, the Election Commission announced the polls schedule.

UNB