RAJSHAHI, June 21, 2023 (BSS)- AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, one of the three mayor
candidates in today's election of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), has said
the decision of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to boycott the election is
not right.

"BNP should take part in the local government election for strengthening and
consolidating the democracy side by side with welfare of the public in
general," he said.

Liton came up with the observation while talking to the waiting journalists
after his vote cast at Upashahar Satellite Town Model High School centre here
this morning.

Decision of boycotting the election by the BNP is totally wrong, meaning that
they have no trust and confidence in common people, he said, adding: "If they
take part in the election they can realize their position. The election, as a
whole, might have been good practically."
 
Meanwhile, voters of RCC were seen standing in long queues to cast their
votes braving the inclement weather caused by rain in most of the 155 polling
centres.

At present, pleasant weather is prevailing everywhere in the voting areas as
rains stopped.

Returning Officer Delwar Hossain said 161 candidates remained in the election
race. Of them, three for mayor, 112 for general councilors in 30 wards and 46
for 10 reserved seats for women councilors.
 
A total of 155 presiding officers, 1,153 assistance presiding officers and
3,459 polling officers are conducting the election.

There are 3,51,982 voters, including 1,80,809 females, to exercise their
right of franchise in EVM in 1,153 rooms of 155 polling centres in 30 wards
from 8am to 4pm without any break.

A five-tier security measures have been taken for making today's polls free,
fair, participatory, peaceful and acceptable to all as around 6,000 law
enforcers are being worked to maintain law and order.
 
Some 3,514 members of police, 400 personnel of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB),
200 of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and 1,860 of Ansar are discharging
election duties.
 
Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Anisur Rahman visited some of
the polling centres this morning expressing his satisfaction after witnessing
a peaceful election.