Some 31,221 new voters are likely to exercise their right of franchise in the upcoming Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) election scheduled to be held on July 30.
Talking to reporters, many of them said they will cast their votes in favour of the candidate who will lead the city smartly. “We will remain in favour of development of the city,” said Monimul Haque, 20, a resident of Khojapur area.
He expected that the election will fulfill hopes and aspirations of the city dwellers as a whole.
“I am very much happy and enjoying the city’s gradually changing atmosphere,” said Momtaj Uddin, 19, a new voter of Meherchandia area.
He expects all the contestants and their supporters will follow election code of conduct till the last day of the campaign.
Bilkish Banu, 18, a resident of Haragram area, expressed her happiness over the election mode across the city. She, however, expects a peaceful and congenial atmosphere during the entire electioneering period.
Meanwhile, candidates for both mayoral and ward councillors along with their workers and supporters have been busy with campaigning for the upcoming election.
Braving both the sultry and rainy situation the candidates are seen meeting voters irrespective of age, sex and creed and caste with posters and leaflets to drum up support for them from early morning to midnight.
Flanked by large number of party leaders and workers the mayoral contestants are also seen meeting voters seeking their support throughout the day.
Workers and activists of the candidates were seen very much busy hanging posters and opening election offices. Several parts of the city got a new look with huge posters, banners and festoons.
A total of 217 candidates are contesting the upcoming RCC election. Of them, five for mayor, 160 for general councillors and 52 for reserved seats for women councillors, BSS reports.
Assistant Returning Officer Atiar Rahman said there are 3,18,138 voters, including 1,62,053 females, who will cast their votes in 1,022 booths of 138 centres to elect one mayor, 30 general councillors and 10 women councillors in reserved seats in the upcoming election.