RANGPUR, Dec 9, 2022 (BSS) – All 255 contesting candidates, including nine for mayoral post, in the Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) Elections- 2022 got poll symbols today adding a new dimension in the electioneering process.
Returning Officer for RpCC Elections-2022 and Joint Secretary of Election Commission Md. Abdul Baten allocated the symbols in favor of the candidates in a function held at the Shilpokola Academy auditorium in the city.
Awami League nominated mayoral post candidate Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia got ‘Boat’ as the poll symbol while Jatiya Party nominated mayoral post candidate Md. Mostafizur Rahman got ‘Plough’ as the poll symbol.
Mayoral post candidates Md. Amiruzzaman of Islami Andolan Bangladesh got ‘Hand fan’, Md. Abu Raihan of Bangladesh Congress got ‘Green coconut’, Md. Latifur Rahman (Independent) got ‘Elephant’, Md. Tauhidur Rahman Mondal of Khelafat Majlish got ‘Wall clock’, Md. Shafiar Rahman of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal- JASOD got ‘Moshal’, Md. Mehedi Hasan (Independent) got ‘Deer’ and Md. Khorshed Alam of Zaker Party got ‘Rose flower’ as their respective poll symbols.
Earlier, a total of 277 candidates, including 10 for mayoral post, 198 for general councilor posts in 33 wards and 69 for reserved women councilor posts in 11 reserved wards submitted nomination papers by the last date on November 29 last.
During scrutiny on December 1 last, the Returning Officer cancelled nomination papers of 36 candidates, including 29 for general councilor posts and seven for reserved women councilor posts for various reasons.
Later, 33 out of 36 councilor post candidates appealed against cancellation of their nomination papers.
After hearing on their pleas on Wednesday, the Appellate Authority of RpCC Elections-2022 declared nomination papers of 22 candidates, including 17 for general councilor and five reserved women councilor posts, as legitimate.
At the same time, the Appellate Authority cancelled the nomination paper of another valid councilor post candidate after hearing on a plea filed against validity of that nomination paper.
On the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers on Thursday, seven candidates, including one for mayoral and six for general councilor posts, withdrew nomination papers quitting the race from the RpCC elections- 2022.
After withdrawal of nomination papers, 255 candidates, including nine for mayoral post, 179 for 33 general councilor posts and 67 for 11 reserved women councilor posts are finally remaining in the fray for RpCC Elections-2022.
The Returning Officer for RpCC Elections-2022 today told reporters that the RpCC Elections- 2022 will be held at the polling booths of 229 polling centres from 8 am to 4 pm on December 27 next.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in all polling centers in the third Rangpur City Corporation elections. Every polling station will be covered by CCTV cameras.
As many as 4,26,469 voters, including 2,12,302 males and 2,14,167 females, will exercise their voting rights in the December 27 RpCC Elections-2022.