Campaign with symbols begins

923 to contest for 234 mayor posts; 7 AL candidates elected unopposed

Election symbols for candidates were allotted yesterday (Monday), clearing the way for them to formally begin campaigning for the December 30 municipal polls.
Returning officers of 234 municipalities allotted the symbols among mayoral aspirants and councillor candidates for both general and reserved seats.
This is the first time local body elections are going to be held with party symbols. A total of 20 political parties, out of 40 registered ones, have nominated their candidates for the December 30 elections.
The returning officers allotted 12 symbols for independent mayoral candidates: Iron, Computer, Carromboard, Spoon, Jug, Tie, Coconut Tree, Fishing Rod, Mobile Phone, Rail Engine, Hanger and Helmet.
The 10 symbols for councillor (reserved) candidates are: Grape, Scissors, Gas Stove, Chocolate, Bangle, Doll, Frock, Vanity Bag, Bee and Harmonium.
There were 12 symbols for councillor (general) candidates: Ostrich, Carrot, Tubelight, Table Lamp, Pomegranate, Ladies Finger, Panjabi, Water Bottle, File Cabinet, Bridge, Blackboard and Screwdriver.
The Election Commission (EC) has urged all, including ministers and lawmakers, to follow the election code of conduct. No one will be spared for violating the law during elections, it warned.
“Ministers and lawmakers are responsible persons. They formulate law. We hope they will not violate the law during elections. If you violate the election code of conduct, you will land yourself in an embarrassing situation. We will be left with no other alternative but to take steps,” Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz said while addressing journalists at his office in the EC secretariat yesterday.
On allegations that the election code was being violated by ministers and lawmakers, he said: “We have not received any such complaint."
On charges that some aspirants were stopped from filing their nominations, he said: “We did not get any such complaint. If we do, we will investigate and take steps accordingly.”
Asked about the allegation that a candidate in Shariatpur was forced to withdraw his nomination, he said: “We did not get any complaint. But we have seen the report in the media. A team has been formed to investigate it. We will take step as per the investigation.”  Seven mayoral candidates sponsored by the Awami Leauge have been elected unopposed. The candidates are from Pirojpur, Tungipara, Chatkhil, Madarganj, Feni, Parshuram and Chengar Char municipalities, returning officers  announced yesterday.

 The joint secretary of the EC secretariat, Jesmin Tuli, said 162 mayoral candidates withdrew their nominations on Sunday.
 EC sources said 923 mayoral candidates will contest for 234 seats in the municipal polls. A total of 652 mayoral candidates have been nominated by 20 political parties, while 271 will contest independently.
 The Awami League has 234 mayoral candidates, BNP 220, Jatiya Party 73, Jatiyatabadi Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) 20, National People’s Party 17, Islami Andolon 56 and other political parties 32.
 Besides, 2,533 councillor candidates (seats reserved for women) will contest the polls. The EC, however, could not provide the number of councillor (general) candidates.

Campaign with symbols begins

923 to contest for 234 mayor posts; 7 AL candidates elected unopposed

Election symbols for candidates were allotted yesterday (Monday), clearing the way for them to formally begin campaigning for the December 30 municipal polls. Returning officers of 234 municipalities allotted the symbols among mayoral aspirants and councillor candidates for both general and reserved seats. This is the first time local body elections are going to be held with party symbols. A total of 20 political parties, out of 40 registered ones, have nominated their candidates for the December 30 elections. The returning officers allotted 12 symbols for independent mayoral candidates: Iron, Computer, Carromboard, Spoon, Jug, Tie, Coconut Tree, Fishing Rod, Mobile Phone, Rail Engine, Hanger and Helmet. The 10 symbols for councillor (reserved) candidates are: Grape, Scissors, Gas Stove, Chocolate, Bangle, Doll, Frock, Vanity Bag, Bee and Harmonium. There were 12 symbols for councillor (general) candidates: Ostrich, Carrot, Tubelight, Table Lamp, Pomegranate, Ladies Finger, Panjabi, Water Bottle, File Cabinet, Bridge, Blackboard and Screwdriver. The Election Commission (EC) has urged all, including ministers and lawmakers, to follow the election code of conduct. No one will be spared for violating the law during elections, it warned. Ministers and lawmakers are responsible persons. They formulate law. We hope they will not violate the law during elections. If you violate the election code of conduct, you will land yourself in an embarrassing situation. We will be left with no other alternative but to take steps, Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz said while addressing journalists at his office in the EC secretariat yesterday. On allegations that the election code was being violated by ministers and lawmakers, he said: We have not received any such complaint. On charges that some aspirants were stopped from filing their nominations, he said: We did not get any such complaint. If we do, we will investigate and take steps accordingly. Asked about the allegation that a candidate in Shariatpur was forced to withdraw his nomination, he said: We did not get any complaint. But we have seen the report in the media. A team has been formed to investigate it. We will take step as per the investigation. Seven mayoral candidates sponsored by the Awami Leauge have been elected unopposed. The candidates are from Pirojpur, Tungipara, Chatkhil, Madarganj, Feni, Parshuram and Chengar Char municipalities, returning officers announced yesterday. The joint secretary of the EC secretariat, Jesmin Tuli, said 162 mayoral candidates withdrew their nominations on Sunday. EC sources said 923 mayoral candidates will contest for 234 seats in the municipal polls. A total of 652 mayoral candidates have been nominated by 20 political parties, while 271 will contest independently. The Awami League has 234 mayoral candidates, BNP 220, Jatiya Party 73, Jatiyatabadi Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) 20, National Peoples Party 17, Islami Andolon 56 and other political parties 32. Besides, 2,533 councillor candidates (seats reserved for women) will contest the polls. The EC, however, could not provide the number of councillor (general) candidates.