Collection of nomination papers by candidates from the BNP-led 18-party and AL-backed 14-party alliances continue ahead of Barisal City Corporation election scheduled for June 15.
Mujibur Rahman, Khulna regional election commissioner and returning officer for BCC election, said three nomination papers for mayoral candidates, 60 for general ward councillors and 11 for reserved female ward councillors have been distributed from his office up until yesterday.
Ahsan Habib Kamal, district (south) BNP president and former BCC mayor collected a nomination paper for the mayoral post on Monday.
BNP has yet to decide whether to participate in the scheduled city corporation elections.
“We will follow the party decision on participation in the BCC elections,” Kamal said.
Earlier, city AL president Shawkat Hossain Hiron and Mahmudur Rahman Khan Mamun, joint secretary of district Jubo League, also collected nomination papers for the mayoral post and went on the election campaign trail violating the code of conduct for the poll.
As per the election rule, no one is allowed to hit the campaign trail until 21 days before the election date or use posters or banners larger than 23"X18".
Supporters of the incumbent mayor have hung huge colourful banners by the side of roads.
Mahmudur Rahman Khan Mamun, joint secretary of district Jubo League, has been campaigning for the mayoral post, as he has done previously.
However, potential candidates, especially those vying for the posts of ward councillors, kicked in their campaigns by sticking posters on walls, publishing advertisements, hoisting banners, attending social functions and meeting people in their localities.
When asked, the returning officer of the election said he filled the post just a few days ago and will look into the allegations.
As the divisional headquarter, Barisal Municipality was upgraded to a city corporation in 2002, extending its area to 45 sq. km from 25, divided into 30 wards.
The municipality is comprised of one mayor, 30 general ward councillors and 10 reserved female ward councillors.
The number of voters in the first Barisal City Corporation election held on March 20, 2003 was 1,64,950, and increased to 1,79,293 in the subsequent election held on August 4, 2008. The number now stands at 2,10,482 for the upcoming BCC election scheduled for June 15, 2013.
