29 municipalities are voting in the fifth step

The Election Commission has said it will take "tough action" amid concerns over the unrest in the previous four rounds of municipal elections.

Additional members of the police, RAB, and BGB have taken to the field in the constituency. Executive and judicial magistrates are also in the field to keep law and order normal.

EC Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker said, “All measures have been taken to maintain a peaceful election environment. We hope the election will be free, fair, participatory, and festive.”

The EC has assured that in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, voting has been arranged in accordance with the rules of health.

Although a few parties took part in the mayoral election, the main competition is between the candidates for the boat and the sheaf of paddy.

EC Joint Director for Public Relations SM Asaduzzaman said there are 100 candidates for the post of mayor in this phase of the election battle. And 342 candidates are contesting for the post of reserved councilor and 1270 candidates are contesting for the post of general councilor.

There are 13 lakh, 84 thousand 165 voters, in 29 municipalities.

On January 19, the EC announced the schedule of 31 municipalities for the fifth phase of elections. Later, the Syedpur municipality of Nilphamari was added in the fifth from another step.

On the other hand, the vote of Jessore municipality was postponed due to the verdict of the high court. The EC has indefinitely postponed the Dewanganj municipality election in Jamalpur just before the polls.

In Chittagong's Raozan municipality, candidates for all posts including mayor and councilor have won unopposed. As a result, voting is taking place in 29 municipalities on Sunday.

On the other hand, due to the verdict of the high court, the voting of Jessore municipality was postponed. The EC has indefinitely postponed the Dewanganj municipality election in Jamalpur just before the polls.

In Chittagong's Raozan municipality, candidates for all posts including mayor and councilor have won unopposed. As a result, voting is taking place in 29 municipalities on Sunday.

Mirsarai, Bariarhat and Rangunia in Chittagong; Jamalpur Sadar, Madarganj and Islampur; Charghat and Durgapur in Rajshahi; Bhola Sadar and Char Fashion; Matlab and Shahrasti of Chandpur; Kaliganj and Maheshpur in Jhenaidah; Raipur of Laxmipur, Nachol of Chapainawabganj, Singir of Habiganj, Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Keshabpur of Jessore, Haragach of Rangpur, Brahmanbaria Sadar, Shibchar of Madaripur, Mymensingh.

The commission is selecting municipalities in six stages this time amid the coronavirus epidemic.

EVM voting took place on December 28 in 24 municipalities of the first phase schedule. The second phase of voting took place on January 16, the third phase on January 30, and the fourth phase on February 14.

In the last fourth round, 46 candidates of Awami League, 1 candidate of BNP, and 5 independent candidates won the mayoral post. In the third phase, 48 mayors of Awami League, three mayors of BNP, and 14 independents were elected.

In the second phase, 46 candidates from Awami League, four from BNP, one from Jatiya Party, one from Jasad, and eight independent candidates won the mayoral post. In the first phase, 18 of the Awami League's candidates, two of the BNP's paddy sheaf, and three independent candidates won the mayoral post.

In the last round of elections on February 15, the turnout was 65.68 percent. Earlier, 65 percent of votes were cast in the first phase on December 28, 62 percent in the second phase on January 16, and 70.42 percent in the third phase on January 30.

After the fifth phase of voting on Sunday, the sixth phase is scheduled to be held on April 11 in 9 municipalities.