A total of nine candidates from five political parties, including Awami League and a BNP leader’s son, have submitted nomination papers to contest the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) election.
The nomination papers were submitted despite BNP centrally claimed to have boycotted the polls.
Among the candidates, four are from the ruling Awami League, one from BNP, one from Jatiya Party, one from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, one from Ganotantri Party and another is a local individual.
Thursday, April 27 was the last date for the submission of nomination papers for the GCC election scheduled to be held on May 25.
As per the GCC poll schedule, the nomination papers will be scrutinized on April 30 and last date for the withdrawal of nomination papers is on May 9.
Although the ruling party nominated Awami League Leader Azmat Ullah Khan as its party candidates, three other leaders, including former GCC Mayor Jahangir Alam and his mother Zayada Khatun, submitted nomination papers as independent candidates.
Another local Awami League leader Abdullah-Al Mamun Mondal also submitted nomination paper as an independent candidate.
Besides, Shah Nur Islam Rony, son of detained BNP leader Nurul Islam Sarkar, submitted his nomination paper for the mayoral post as an independent candidate as his party BNP centrally has decided not to take part in any election under the Awami League government.
Sources said many other BNP leaders are also taking part in the elections for the councilors’ post avoiding the party decision.
According to the official sources, former secretary MM Niaz Uddin, who is also the president of Gazipur metropolitan unit Jatiya Party, submitted nomination paper for the GCC mayoral post from Jatiya Party, Gazi Ataur Rahman from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Atiqul Islam from Gonotantri Party and Harunur Rashid as an independent candidate.
Meanwhile, 86 candidates submitted nomination papers for the posts of councillors, Returning Officer Faridul Islam said.
After receiving the nomination papers, the election officials advised all candidates to follow the electoral codes of conduct.
After the submission of nomination papers, all the candidates expressed their hopes that the Election Commission will ensure a level-playing field for all the candidates and hold a free and fair election.
Independent candidate Mamun is a current councillor from Ward Number 35. He said the people of Gazipur will vote for him in the May 25 polls.
Assistant Returning Officer and District Election Officer AHM Kamrul Hasan said votes will be cast through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 57 general and 19 reserved wards. There will be 478 presiding officers throughout the city corporation area and another 3,491 assistant presiding officers on duty.