AL, BNP freed from rebels in Barisal Sadar UZ polls
Barisal Correspondent
Both AL and BNP freed from the tensions of rebel candidates after withdrawal of candidature in Barisal Sadar Upazila Parishad election on Tuesday.
Barisal district election office sources said, Tuesday was the last date of withdrawal and Anwar Hossain and Zakir Hossain Nannu , 2 out of 4 chairman candidates and Shahidul Islam, 1 out 3 vice chairman candidates withdrawn their nomination papers for Sadar
upazila parishad election.
All of three female vice chairman candidates remained in election race and Barisal Sadar upazila parishad elections scheduled to be held on February 27, said Dulal Talukdar, district election officer and returning officer.
Now AL chairman candidate Saidur Rahman Rintu, president Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries will directly fight against lone rival BNP nominated candidate Kazi Enayet Hossain Bachchu, Kotwali BNP president.
Anwar Hossain, former Kotwali AL president said that he doing pro-AL politics since last 40 years sincerely and so decided to withdraw his candidature for the sake of the party and on request of senior leaders.
Rebel BNP candidate Zakir Hossain Nannu, central Jubo Dal assistant organizing secretary said for the sake of greater interest of the party decided to withdraw his candidature.
In male vice chairman post AL nominated Shahid Md. Shahnewaz Shaheen,Sadar upazila Jubo League convener, will directly fight against his lone rival BNP nominated MD. Anwar Hossain, Kotwali BNP secretary.
Among the 3 female vice chairman candidates Jannatul Ferdous, city BNPMohila Dal convener, Rehana Begum, city Mohila League assistant secretary and Syeda Atia Begum, city AL leader, remained in race.
Ebaidul Huq Chan, district (south) BNP president said although by rules and regulations, local government elections termed as non-political and non-party based, but practically it was not that. Due to politicalisation of the local government elections, we stressed
on setting lone candidate against each post in each upazila.
Advocate Talukdar Md. Yunus, district AL secretary, said told as free fair peaceful election will empower local government and for this we preferred setting single candidates for the sake of the party and politics to straitening our organization
Army starts patrolling in Sylhet
Sylhet Correspondent
In order to maintain law and order, the army will start election duties for five days from today in 6 upazilas of the Sylhet district, which are going to poll Wednesday.
DC of Sylhet said, A platoon comprising 33 members will patrol each upazila. Besides, additional army men and other regular law enforcers will be deployed in the upazilas susceptible to violence,
In the first phase, election will be held to 6 upazilas, including one on February 24.
“We want the army to intensify their patrol at every locality of the upazilas with the aim to make their presence visible to voters, The army men will not discharge duties inside polling centres”, he added.
Sylhet EC officials said.The EC has decided to deploy the army for five days in each phase of the upazila elections. Besides, the navy will patrol coastal areas, while the air force will stand by for transporting electoral materials in remote areas. Along with armed forces members, Rab, BGB, coast guard, and armed forces battalion will act as the striking force.
2nd phase poll campaign begins in Joypurhat
BSS, Joypurhat
An extensive campaign for the Second phase Upazila Parishad election on February 27 started in Sadar, Kalai and Khetlal upazilas of the district.
The electioneering began following publication of the final list of candidates and allocation of election symbols.
District Election Office (DEO) sources said, the returning officers allocated symbols for the posts of chairman, vice-chairman and female vice-chairman.
Three candidates are contesting for the post of chairman, seven for vice-chairman and three for female vice-chairman in Sadar upazila.
In Kalai upazila, five candidates are contesting for the post of chairman, five for vice-chairman, and three for female vice- chairman. Besides, three candidates are contesting for the post of chairman, four for vice chairman and three for female vice- chairman in Khetlal upazila. The candidates and their supporters are making to door-to-door visit to woo the voters.
Jakir Hossain Additional deputy commissioner (General) and returning officer of the upazilas’ election said the poll in Joypurhat Sadar, Khetlal and Kalai upazilas would be held in Second phase on February 27, Akkelpur upazila in third phase on March 15, and Panchbibi upazila in fourth phase on March 23.
Election office sources said it is for the first time that upazila polls are being held in phases.
The first upazila polls were held in 1985 while the second and third in 1990 and 2009 respectively.
Chairman candidate’s camp office torched
in Satkhira
UNB, Satkhira
Unidentified miscreants early Tuesday set fire to the camp office of the ruling Awami League-supported chairman candidate in Ashashuni upazila, which will go to polls on Wednesday.
Zakir Hossain, chairman of Protapnagar union, said a gang of unidentified miscreants torched AL-backed chairman candidate ABM Mostakim’s camp office close to Kalyanpur Government Primary School in the area in the dead of night.
They also blasted four crude bombs in the area.
Tariqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Ashashuni Police Station, said they were investigating the matter.
Mostakim blamed his rival’s men for the arson.
As per the schedule, the election of the upazila under first phase will be held on Wednesday (February 19).
