Two DCC elections on May 24. It remains to be seen how far the new Election Commission can deliver free and fair elections

Dhaka Times Report. After dividing the capital Dhaka City Corporation into two parts, this election is going to be held for the first time. The Election Commission has recently announced the schedule. But all the political parties are preparing for the elections even though there is a difference of opinion between the political parties regarding these two city corporations. Time will tell how far the new Election Commission can deliver free and fair elections.

According to the schedule of the Election Commission, elections will be held in the two city corporations of Dhaka North and South on May 24 (Thursday). The last date for filing nomination papers in this election is April 19, selection is on April 22 and 23 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 2. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed officially announced the schedule of these two important elections at 2:50 PM on Monday. At that time, Election Commissioner Abu Hafiz, Abdul Mubarak, Jabed Ali and Md. Shahnewaz, EC Secretary Mohammad Sadiq and related officials were present.

This election is going to be held after 10 long years. DCC expired on 14 May 2007. This election was not possible for the last 5 years due to various tensions. After announcing the schedule, the CEC sought the cooperation of the political parties and the government to conduct the election smoothly. He said that it is not possible to conduct this election freely with the limited number of manpower of the EC. For this reason, he called on all parties and the government to extend their support. Addressing political parties, CEC said, DCC election is a non-political election. Everyone must follow the rules properly in this election. Failure to do so will be strictly enforced. Will the army be deployed in the election? In response to this question, CEC said that in view of the situation, necessary measures will be taken regarding law and order. So that there is no inconvenience to the voters. CEC expressed reluctance to say anything about army deployment. A major election will be held under the new commission for the first time since it took over in February. Referring to this task as a challenge, CEC said, it is a big election. We take every task as a challenge. I am not looking down on anyone. This is a very important election. It's a big deal to manage. This requires everyone's cooperation. The number of voters in two DCCs is 3.85 lakh. Appropriate measures will be taken to stop terrorist activities to make elections neutral and fair. CEC said that Mihir Sarwar Morshed, Regional Election Officer of Dhaka, will perform the duty of Returning Officer in Dhaka North in this election. He will be assisted by 12 Assistant Returning Officers. Director General of Election Training Institute Khondkar Mizanur Rahman will perform the duty of Returning Officer in Dhaka South. He will be assisted by 19 Assistant Returning Officers. The Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka has been given the responsibility of the appeal authority of this election. Elections will be held for these three positions - Mayor, Councilor and Councilor of reserved seats. The CEC said that since it is a local election, no candidate can use the symbol of a political party in campaigning. On the question of using EVMs in DCC, CEC said that no final decision has been taken yet.
CEC said about the voters of one area going to another area on election day, we have already discussed this matter. We have more time. We will discuss this later.

It is to be noted that on December 1 last year, a notification was issued dividing the DCC. The gazette of 92 wards of DCC was published on December 5. There is an obligation to hold this election within 180 days on May 29. The number of voters of two city corporations is 38 lakh 52 thousand 926 people. Among them, the number of voters in 36 wards of Dhaka North is 21 lakh 72 thousand 427 people. The number of voters in 56 wards of Dhaka South is 16 lakh 80 thousand 499 people. There are 12 reserved wards in Dhaka North. 19 in the south. 1 thousand 84 possible polling stations in North. 873 in the south. Now the rest depends on the political parties. If they participate in the election following the rules of the Election Commission, then there will be a possibility of holding a fair election. At least that's what the residents of the capital hope for.