RANGPUR, Dec 18, 2022 (BSS) – With only nine days left for the December 27 Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) elections- 2022, hectic electioneering of contesting candidates and their supporters has turned Rangpur into a festive city.

All 260 contesting candidates have put their posters all-around giving the city a special look alongside campaigning through leaflet distribution, door-to-door visit, canvassing with loud speakers and other ways to catch the attention of voters.

The competing candidates include nine for mayoral post, 183 for general councilor posts and 68 for reserved female councilor posts.

All candidates have put in their efforts to reach voters door to door with a hope to get their votes in the upcoming RpCC polls.

The nine mayoral post candidates are Awami League nominated Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia (Boat), Md. Amiruzzaman of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (Hand fan), Md. Abu Raihan of Bangladesh Congress (Green coconut), Md. Latifur Rahman (Independent-Elephant), Md. Tauhidur Rahman Mondal of Khelafat Majlish (Wall clock), Md. Shafiar Rahman of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal- JASOD (Moshal), Md. Mehedi Hasan (Independent-Deer) and Md. Khorshed Alam of Zaker Party (Rose flower)

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has taken preparations alongside conducting training for election officials to hold the RpCC polls peacefully amid festivity. 

Returning Officer for RpCC elections- 2022 Md. Abdul Baten told reporters that all officials and employees involved with the RpCC elections are working relentlessly for holding the polls in a free, fair, transparent, impartial and credible manner.

Awami League nominated mayoral candidate Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia conducted courtyard meetings and mass communication in different areas including RK Road, Textile Intersection, Parbatipur Bazar and Bowbazar from Saturday afternoon to night.

Bangladesh Awami League Central Committee Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain and Sakhawat Hossain Shafiq and Relief Affairs Secretary Sujit Kumar Nandi, Former District Council Chairman Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, District Awami League General Secretary Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju, City Awami League President Safiur Rahman Shafi and its General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mondal and other leaders participated in the mass meetings.

After mass communication in the Bowbazar area last night, Ahmed Hossain told reporters that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has massively developed Rangpur like the rest of the country.

As part of development, Rangpur division, Rangpur City Corporation, Begum Rokeya University, Six-lane Road, Mohila Krira Complex, Intensive Care Unit at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, eradication of ‘monga’, six Metropolitan Thanas in Rangpur city and many other uplift projects have been implemented in Rangpur during the tenure of the Awami League government.

"Insha'Allah, Boat, the symbol of development, will get votes of the city dwellers this time,” he said, adding that there will be more development in Rangpur if Awami League’s mayoral candidate is elected.

“As the Prime Minister has taken charge of Rangpur, Dalia has been given nomination for mayoral post with the Boat symbol for development. Now it is the responsibility of Rangpur people to vote for the Prime Minister's nominee,” Ahmed added.

The other contesting candidates for mayoral post, general councilor posts and reserved female councilor posts are also conducting their hectic campaigning with their respective poll symbols.