BNP’s decision on joining DNCC by-polls tonight

Published: January 24, 2019 15:19:45 | Updated: January 24, 2019 18:53:58

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir - File Photo

BNP policymakers are going to hold a meeting tonight (Thursday night) to decide whether the party will join the upcoming by-elections to the vacant mayoral post of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

"We've heard about the announcement of the schedule (for the DNCC by-polls). We'll come up with our decision on it after a meeting of our standing committee members tonight," said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after offering fateha at the grave of party chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko at Banani Graveyard.

Fakhrul said they will also talk to their acting chairman Tarique Rahman to determine their decision on the DNCC by polls.

The DNCC mayoral post fell vacant as its mayor Annisul Huq passed away on November 30, 2017, reports UNB.

In January 2018, the Election Commission had announced a schedule for the by-election to the DNCC mayoral post as well as 36 general councillor posts and 12 reserved councillor posts for the 36 new wards being added to the capital's two municipalities -- equally divided between the north and south.

Later, the High Court stayed the by-election following a writ petition.

The EC announced the fresh schedule for the by-election on Tuesday after the High Court order clearing the way to hold it.