The two city corporations of Dhaka accorded a reception to the valiant freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters and their family members at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital on Monday.
Some 2883 freedom fighters and more than 6000 family members were invited at the reception progamme.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam along with city corporations’ high officials, ward councillors, among others, attended the programme.
Meanwhile, while talking to newsmen following the programme the two mayors expressed their hope for getting re-nomination from Awami League (AL) in the upcoming election to continue the ongoing development works.
They expressed their hope while talking to reporters at an event organised by the two city corporations at capital’s Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday to accord reception to valiant freedom fighters.
DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon said, “I am fully hopeful of being given nomination by the party [Awami League] as I think I’m successful [in running the corporation affairs]. I have been able to introduce some positive changes.”
The Election Commission on Sunday (Dec 22) announced the schedule of the polls in the two city corporations fixing the voting date on Jan 30.
Sayeed Khokon claimed that there is no corner in his part of the city which has not witnessed development work. “I have been able to give the touch of development to everywhere.”
He said he has solved the water-logging problem that Shantinagar area has been experiencing for 40 years and the longstanding problem in Nazimuddin Road area.
Besides, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said he wants to utilize the experience he gathered in the last nine months since his election in the by-polls after the death of Mayor Annisul Huq.
“It’s time to utilise my experience. If I’m nominated by the Awami League, I will utilize my nine-month experience for the welfare of the city people,” he said.
Atiqul also said, “Solution to water-logging problem, greenisation, reducing traffic congestion at the tolerable level and coordination among 54 departments are a big challenge. I want to give focus on these.”
Meanwhile, chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Sunday declared the polls schedule of these two city corporations at a press conference held at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.
According to the polls schedule, the last date of filing nomination paper is December 31 and the nomination paper will be scrutinized till January 2. The last date of withdrawing nomination paper is January 9.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would be used at all centres in the two city corporations. Two personnel of armed forces will be deployed at each polling booth.
For the first time, half core of the voters of Dhaka city will exercise their voting rights through EVMs for the post of mayor and councilor post in the elections.
However, the CEC said if two running mayors want to contest the polls, they must resign from their post.
According to the schedule, 30, 35, 621 voters in DNCC and 23, 67, 488 voters in the DSCC will cast their vote during the polls.
