Khalek says he’s ready to accept any outcome as KCC goes to polls

Awami League candidate and former mayor Talukdar Abdul Khalek is hopeful of winning the Khulna City Corporation election but said he is ready to accept any outcome.

“I had conceded my defeat in 2013 even when my party was in power. I am ready to accept any outcome this time too, as I respect people’s mandate.”

He spoke to the reporters after casting his vote at the polling centre of Khulna Pioneer Girls School.

Khulna City Corporation or KCC went to the polls on 8am Tuesday at the 289 polling centres amid peaceful atmosphere so far.

With around half a million voters in the city, Khulna is now at the centre of politics after the elections to the Gazipur City Corporation have been deferred to June 26.

The major political parties are vying for the mayoral post with their own symbols, but the main battle will be between the Awami League’s boat and the BNP’s paddy sheaf.

“People in Khulna are always united when it comes to development and hence, they will vote for boat,” said Khalek in his reaction after casting his vote.

Khalek lost out to BNP-backed candidate Moniruzzaman Moni in 2013 election after serving a five-year-term as mayor since 2008. He resigned from his position of MP and running for the mayoral election under the banner of AL this time.

Nazrul Islam Manju is the BNP-nominated mayoral candidate in KCC polls.

Also, SM Shafiqur Rahman Mushfique of Jatiya Party, Mizanur Rahman Babu of CPB and Muzammil Haque of Islami Andolon are among others running for the post of mayor in KCC polls.

Khalek termed the KCC poll ‘important’ for him as he left the post of MP for participating in the election and urged everyone to provide him with opportunity to work for people.

He dismissed the allegation by the BNP candidate that his agents are being barred from entering polling centres. “How can he complain of his agents being driven away when the polling hasn’t started yet?”

“We cannot help if their organisation is weak or they lack number of agents.”

Talukdar Abdul Khalek also dismissed the allegation that the ruling party is using its influence over the election.

“I have instructed our leaders and activists that they maintain a peaceful environment and never put stress on voters.”

He expressed his hope the present election will be free and fair like the one in 2013.