The ruling Awami League (AL)-nominated mayoral candidate Atiqul Islam yesterday expressed his hope that the upcoming Dhaka city corporation elections, slated for January 30, will be free and fair with the participation of all political parties. Speaking at a programme in the capital city, business community leader Atiqul Islam called upon the city-dwellers to cast their valued votes in favour of Nouka (Boat), electoral symbol of the ruling party, in the ensuing local body elections. Atiqul also invited his rival BNP-nominated candidate Tabith Awal at his residence to exchange greetings over a cup of tea. “I live in Dhaka north …I will  be happy if he (Tabith) does visit my residence,” he added.

Speaking about his election manifesto to be announced soon, Atiqul said, “Having a plan to ease Dhaka’s traffic congestion and a scheme to make the city green will get priority in my election manifesto.” He also sought support from the city residents to materialise his plans in a bid to turn Dhaka city into a modern one. The mayoral hopeful for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) said he will visit every dweller’s home during his election campaign and seek vote in favour of his party symbol.

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday last declared the candidatures of 993 aspirants valid upon scrutiny of the nomination forms submitted by the mayor and councillor hopefuls for two Dhaka city corporations.

Of them, 13 will run for mayor and 980 for councillor positions. Out of the 13 mayoral hopefuls, six will join the battle of ballots in the DNCC and the remaining ones in the DSCC elections on January 30.