Ivy edges closer with big leads in 114 centres in Narayanganj City election

The Awami League’s Selina Hayat Ivy appears set for a huge win in the Narayanganj City Corporation elections with more than 65 percent of the results coming in from the polling stations.

Returning Officer Md Nuruzzaman Talukder began the result announcement at the result collection and announcement control room on the second floor of the Narayanganj Club at 7pm.

Ivy, seeking a second straight term as mayor, was leading by some 44,000 votes in the results from 114 of the 174 polling centres until 9:45pm.

Her polls logo ‘boat’ has drawn a total of 106,887 votes so far. The BNP candidate, Sakhawat Hossain Khan,who ran with the 'paddy sheaf’ symbol, has polled 62,359 votes.

A total of 474,931 voters are registered in Narayanganj, of whom 239,662 are men and 235,269 women.

One mayor seat, nine reserved women councillor seats and 27 ward councillor seats are up for grabs.

Voter turnout during the 2011 elections was approximately 69 percent. Election officials are expecting a similar turnout this year.

Seating space has been reserved at the control room for the candidates and their delegation.

The political parties have expressed their satisfaction with the peaceful nature of the election. The candidates have also said they would accept the mandate of the people.

Traffic has been blocked from the city’s Chasharha intersection to the Narayanganj Club. Security personnel have been deployed and are standing guard outside the control room.