BANGLADESH: AWAMI LEAGUE GRASP LOCAL POLL

As the result of the first set of local government election is not rejected by any party or candidate yet, it could be told that this is a success for the EC Road Map for Election. As per unofficial result, 4 City Corporation and 8 0f 9 Municipalities Mayoral Posts sweep up by the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) backed candidates.    

Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran, the former Sylhet City mayor now in prison on corruption charges, won the mayoral post by defeating BNP candidate AFM Kamal.  Awami League leader Talukder Abdul Khaleque clinched the mayoral race for Khulna City Corporation, winning a victory over BNP-backed Moniruzzaman Moni. Khairuzzaman Liton, backed by the AL-led 14-party alliance, finished the mayoral race in the poll with a victory against Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, a Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal leader backed by BNP. Shawkat Hossain Hiron, the AL backed candidate in Barisal City emerged as Mayor by a thin difference from S Sharfuddin Ahmed Santu of Progressive Democratic Party.

Awami League-backed candidates swept eight of the nine mayoral seats in August 4 elections to as many municipalities. Local AL leaders Reazul Islam Zoarder Toton and Ramzan Ali Zia won the mayoral races in Chuadanga and Manikganj, respectively. Another two Awami League-backed candidates clinched the mayoral races in Sitakunda and Golapganj municipalities. Shafiul Alam and Zakaria Ahmad Paplu won the mayoral seats of Sitakunda in Chittagong, and Golapganj in Sylhet, respectively. Local BNP leader Jahangir Alam wins in Dupchanchia, Bogra. He is the only BNP leader who won the mayoral post. Md Ansur Rahman, backed by the Awami League, won the mayoral race in Sripur Municipality in Gazipur. In Fulbaria of Mymensingh, AL leader Golam Kibria got the victory as municipal mayor In Naohata of Rajshahi, AL leader Abdul Gafur become the municipal mayor. In Shariatpur Municipality, AL leader Abdur Rab Munshi won the election and become mayor.

Immediate after the first set of election, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) said to the press that under a certain degree of state of emergency all elections including the parliament could be hold in an acceptable manner if cooperation come from all corners.

Apparently it is the first reaction from EC as they come up with a positive result in the acid test of acceptability. But the challenges are those the difficulties the election officials faced for the mistakes in voter lists should be removed in an acceptable way. #