The Election Commission has started taking preparation to complete the second election to Rangpur City Corporation by December next, reports UNB. Under the incumbent commission, headed by KM Nurul Huda, it would be the second major election after the Comilla City Corporation polls held in March last. "The Election Commission plans to complete Rangpur City Corporation election by December 2017," EC acting secretary Helaluddin Ahmed told UNB. "After taking decision in the commission's meeting the poll schedule is likely to be announced in November," he said.

The five-year tenure of Rangpur city will expire on February 14 next. But the commission will complete the polls by December next ahead of a public examination in early 2018. The maiden election to Rangpur City Corporation was held on December 20, 2012.

Awami League-minded mayoral candidate Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu was elected in the Rangpur city election defeating Jatiya Party-supported candidate.

Jhantu was elected securing 1,06,255 votes, while his nearest rival Jatiya Party leader Mostafizur Rahman polled to 77,805 votes.

There is a legal obligation for the EC to complete election to any city corporation within 180 days before the expiry of the tenure that starts with the first meeting of the elected representatives.

Besides, the EC has also a plan to arrange elections to five other city corporation-- Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal and Gazipur by August 2018.

About the five city corporations, the EC acting secretary said the elections to the five city corporations will be held in time before the expiry of five-year tenure of the cities.

The Huda-commission formed in February last will conduct the major elections to the six cities before the 11th parliamentary elections likely to be held in late December 2018.

The Huda-Commission franticly wants to arrange the major city elections in fair and neutral manners for gaining public trust before the next national election, EC officials said.

Taking part in the EC's ongoing dialogues, many civil society members, media persons, and political parties also suggested the EC to achieve public confidence through its impartial activities and make its neutrality visible ahead of the general election.

The tenure of Gazipur City will expire on September 4, 2018, while that of Sylhet city on September 8, 2018, Khulna city on September 25, 2018, Rajshahi city on October 5, 2018 and Barisal city on October 23, 2018.

The election to four city corporations-Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet-were held on June 15, 2013, while the maiden polls to Gazipur City Corporation on July 6, 2013.

In 2013, BNP-backed mayoral candidates were elected in five cities defeating AL-supported contestants.

Under the present Commission, Comilla City Corporation election was held on March 30 last along political party line with the reelection of BNP mayoral candidate Monirul Haque Sakku.