'DNCC by-polls within 90 days after post declared vacant'

The Election Commission is moving to hold by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to elect a new mayor, as the post fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq. Annisul passed away, at the age of 65, on Thursday night while undergoing treatment at Wellington Hospital in London. According to relevant laws, by-election to the mayoral post has to be held within 90 day after the ministry concerned declares it vacant, meaning the polls will be held by February. “The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has the authority to declare the post vacant. The Election Commission will initiate the process of by-polls once the post is declared empty,” Election Commission Acting Secretary Helal Uddin told journalists on Sunday. Mesbah Uddin, joint secretary to the ministry, said they have already started the process and may declare the post vacant within this week. “There are certain rules and regulations in this regard. Necessary actions will be taken in line with those rules. The government and Election Commission will decide on their course of action once we declare the DNCC mayoral post vacant,” he added. The article was first published on Bangla Tribune