Five candidates are contesting for the mayoral post of Mymensingh City Corporation in the election scheduled for March 9. Three of the candidates are highly educated but two others are self-educated. None of them have any case filed against them. This information was obtained from the affidavits submitted by the candidates to the returning officer.
Out of the five candidates, three are from the ruling party, one is from Jatiya Party (JaPa), and the other candidate is a new face in local politics. Current Mayor and President of Metropolitan Awami League Ikramul Haque Titu is contesting the election with Wall Clock symbol while district AL President Ehteshamul Alam is contesting with Horse.
Former general secretary of city AL Sadekul Haque Khan Toju has got Elephant while former Krishak League leader Dr Md Rezaul Haque is contesting the election with the Deer symbol.
Meanwhile, district JaPa Joint General Secretary Shahidul Islam is contesting the polls with the party's Plough symbol.
One of these candidates is a PhD holder, one is a science graduate and another has graduated from law. The two others are self-educated.
According to their affidavit, Ikramul Haque Titu has passed BSc and is a businessman. He has Tk1.6 crore deposited in his bank account and has shares worth Tk9.5 crore. His annual income from shares, savings certificate and deposits is Tk27 lakh.
In comparison, Ehteshamul is self-educated and is a stationery seller by profession. He has Tk4.99 lakh in bank and has an annual income of Tk2.7 lakh from rents. His annual income from businesses is Tk4 lakh.
Sadequl Haque Khan Toju has graduated from law and is a lawyer by profession. He has Tk94 lakh cash in bank and owns 10 tolas of gold. His annual income from rents is Tk90,000. His income from practicing law is Tk3.6 lakh annually.
Shahidul Islam mentioned himself as a self-educated person and is a businessman. He has Tk5.75 cash and has an Annual income of Tk3 lakh.
On the other hand, Rezaul Haque is a PhD holder and a lawyer by profession. His annual income from the profession is Tk4.1 lakh.
Regarding his educational qualification, Ehteshamul Alam claimed that he is a graduate in History but could not preserve his certificate at home as he obtained the degree years ago.
“This is why I mentioned myself as self-educated in the affidavit,” he said.
The JaPa candidate, Shahidul Islam, is also self-educated. However, he could not be reached for comment on this matter.
Shibbir Ahmed Liton, joint secretary of the district Nagorik Andolan, said: "Whoever wins in the election should not hide anything from the people. Everything should be disclosed. But the affidavits of the candidates are never scrutinized. That is why the candidates get the opportunity to conceal their information. The Election Commission should look into this issue strictly.”
Assistant Returning Officer Shafiqul Islam said: "Legal action will be taken after investigation If there is any allegation of concealment of information in the affidavits. But till now no one has filed any complaint in this regard.”
