12 Awami League candidates to be elected uncontested in district council elections

The Awami League is going to have 12 of its chairman candidates elected unopposed in the upcoming Zila Parisahad (district council) polls as no other candidate is contesting in those districts.

The BNP and the Jatiya Party are not taking part in the elections to be held in 61 districts on Dec 28.

Election Commission Director SM Asaduzzaman told bdnews24.com that 190 chairman candidates have submitted nomination papers for the 61 districts excluding three in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

"Candidates in 12 districts have no opposing candidate to fight the elections," he added.

The deadline of submitting nomination papers ended on Thursday.

The boycott by the BNP and the Jatiya Party means the Awami League candidates are contesting either with the leaders from their own party or from its partners in the ruling coalition. The ruling party has contestants in 49 districts.

According to EC Deputy Secretary Farhad Ahmed Khan, the candidates who are going to be elected unopposed include Anwar Hossain in Narayanganj, Md Akhtaruzzaman in Gazipur, Sadek Quoraishi in Thakurgaon, Arifur Rahman Rocket in Joypurhat, Sajedur Rahman Khan in Natore and Abdul Latif Biswas in Sirajganj.

Shah Hadiuzzaman in Jessore, Sheikh Kamruzzaman Tuku in Bagerhat, Sarder Shah Alam in Jhalakathi, Abdul Momin Tulu in Bhola, Prashanta Kumar Roy in Netrokona, and Md Mohiuddin in Munshiganj will also be elected unopposed.

EC Secretary Mohammad Abdullah told bdnews24.com that the final list of candidates who will be elected unopposed will be announced after the scrutiny and deadline of withdraw nominations on Dec 11.

Elected representatives from other local government bodies like municipalities, city corporations, Upazila councils and union councils in corresponding districts will vote to elect the district council chairmen.

The elections to the district councils are going to be held on party lines for the first time this year.