Voting to 63 municipalities underway

The third phase polls to sixty-three municipalities began on Saturday morning.

The voting started at 8am and will continue at a stretch till 4pm.

A total of 3,344 candidates -229 candidates for Mayoral posts, 755 for reserved councilors posts and 2,360 candidates for general councilors posts – are vying in the polls, according to the Election Commission (EC).

In the third phase, 37 candidates have already been elected unopposed.

The members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Police and Ansars have been deployed to ensure law and order during the election. Four-tier security arrangements have been taken ahead of the polls day.

Sixty-three judicial magistrates have also been appointed for five days in the sixty-three municipalities across the country.

Restrictions have been imposed on plying motorbikes since Thursday at the polling areas. The restrictions will remain effective till 6am on Sunday.

The sixty-three municipalities are: Hakimpur in Dinajpur, Jaldhaka in Nilphamari, Ulipur in Kurigram, Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, Dhunat, Shibganj, Gabtoli, Kahalu and Nandigram of Bogura, Rohonpur in Chapainawabganj, Sadar and Dhamoirhat in Naogaon, Mundumala and Kehorhat in Rajshahi, Singra in Natore, Pabna Sadar, Sadar and Dharshana in Chuadanga, Harinakundu and Courtchandpur in Jenaidah, Manirampur in Jeshore, Sadar and Kalia in Narail, Morelganj in Bagerhat, Paikgacha in Khulna, Kalaroa in Satkhira, Sadar and Pathargata in Borguna, Borhanuddin and Dowlatkhan in Bhola, Gournadi and Mehendiganj in Barishal, Nalchiti in Jalokhathi, Sarupkathi in Pirojpur, Sadar, Mirjapur, Bhiyanpur, Shakhipur and Madhupur in Tangail,Sharishabari in Jamalpur, Nakla and Nalitabari in Sherpur, Bhaluka, Gouripur and Ishwarganj in Mymensingh, Durgapur in Netrokona, Katiadi in Kishorganj, Munshiganj Sadar, Pangsha in Rajbari, Tungipara in Gopalganj, Naria, Bhedorganj and Jajira inShariatpur, Golapganj and Jokiganj in Sylhet, Moulbi Bazar Sadar, Barura and Chowdhagram in Cumilla, Haziganj in Chandpur Feni Sadar, Hatia and Chowmuhani in Noakhali and Ramganj in Lakhipur.

The election of Sujanagar municipality in Pabna has been postponed on Thursday.

The country has total 329 municipalities —in the first phase polls were held through EVMs to 24 municipalities on December 28. In the second phase, polls were held to 60 municipalities on January 16.

In fourth phase, polls will be held to 56 municipalities on February 14 and polls to remaining 31 municipalities will be held under fifth phase on February 28.