Narayanganj city polls: 35-40% of votes cast halfway through voting, says DC
Polls taking place in a free and fair manner, says Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah
People are seen below hanging posters during the NCC polls, Sunday, January 16, 2022 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
Tribune Desk
Publish : 16 Jan 2022, 01:10 PMUpdate : 16 Jan 2022, 03:24 PM
Around 35-40% of the total number of votes have been cast in the first four hours of voting in the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls, the district deputy commissioner has said.
“The voting is taking place in a free and fair manner,” DC Mostain Billah told reporters after visiting the Narayanganj Govt Women’s College polling centre at noon on Sunday.
There are polling agents of every candidate at every voting station, he said.
Meanwhile, Returning Officer Mahfuza Akter said voting is taking place in a festive atmosphere and the turnout has also been good.
“We have visited several centres. A good number of votes have been cast in the first four hours,” she told the media.
However, unlike the deputy commissioner, she refused to comment on the percentage of votes cast.
The voter turnout in the 2011 NCC elections was 69%, dropping to 62.33% in 2016.
People were casting their votes to decide whether Selina Hayat Ivy will continue as mayor for a third term or Taimur Alam Khandakar will replace her.
The voting began at 8am in 192 polling centres in 27 wards of the city and will continue till 4pm without a break.
The constituency has a total of 517,362 registered voters – 259,846 men, 257,511 women and four people from third gender communities – who will exercise their franchise at 1,333 polling booths of 192 centres.
Apart from choosing the mayors, voters are also stamping ballots for the posts of nine reserved women councillors and 27 councillors.
Seven candidates are contesting in the mayoral race, while 148 candidates will contest in general councillor posts. Moreover, 34 aspirants will contest for the reserved councillor seats for women.
The election is taking place amid the pandemic but adhering to the health safety guidelines issued by the government to prevent a further surge in Covid-19 cases.
The Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election will be closely watched across the country as it is one of the final tests for the outgoing Election Commission.
This is the first election in the country that is being held exclusively on electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Narayanganj city polls: 35-40% of votes cast halfway through voting, says DC
Polls taking place in a free and fair manner, says Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah
Around 35-40% of the total number of votes have been cast in the first four hours of voting in the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls, the district deputy commissioner has said.
“The voting is taking place in a free and fair manner,” DC Mostain Billah told reporters after visiting the Narayanganj Govt Women’s College polling centre at noon on Sunday.
There are polling agents of every candidate at every voting station, he said.
Meanwhile, Returning Officer Mahfuza Akter said voting is taking place in a festive atmosphere and the turnout has also been good.
“We have visited several centres. A good number of votes have been cast in the first four hours,” she told the media.
However, unlike the deputy commissioner, she refused to comment on the percentage of votes cast.
The voter turnout in the 2011 NCC elections was 69%, dropping to 62.33% in 2016.
People were casting their votes to decide whether Selina Hayat Ivy will continue as mayor for a third term or Taimur Alam Khandakar will replace her.
The voting began at 8am in 192 polling centres in 27 wards of the city and will continue till 4pm without a break.
The constituency has a total of 517,362 registered voters – 259,846 men, 257,511 women and four people from third gender communities – who will exercise their franchise at 1,333 polling booths of 192 centres.
Apart from choosing the mayors, voters are also stamping ballots for the posts of nine reserved women councillors and 27 councillors.
Seven candidates are contesting in the mayoral race, while 148 candidates will contest in general councillor posts. Moreover, 34 aspirants will contest for the reserved councillor seats for women.
The election is taking place amid the pandemic but adhering to the health safety guidelines issued by the government to prevent a further surge in Covid-19 cases.
The Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election will be closely watched across the country as it is one of the final tests for the outgoing Election Commission.
This is the first election in the country that is being held exclusively on electronic voting machines (EVMs).
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