With only 18 days left, campaign for the upcoming election of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), scheduled to be held on May 15, has gained momentum.
After getting election symbol, all the candidates for the post of mayor and councillors and even candidates of general and women reserved seats have been continuing the campaign from early morning to midnight.
Many of the candidates opened election office at the important points and intersections as per election rules.
Five candidates are vying for mayoral post. They are Awami League backed candidate and former mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque (Boat), BNP backed candidate Nazrul Islam Manju (Paddy-Stack), Jatiya Party backed candidate Shafiqur Rahman Mushfiq (Plough), Islami Andolon backed candidate Mowlana Muzammel Haque(Handfan) and CPB backed candidate Mizanur Rahman Babu (Scythe).
Meanwhile, 148 aspirants are contesting for 31 general councillor posts and 38 women for 10 reserved seats of councillors.
There are 4,93,092 voters including 2,44,109 women to cast their votes in 289 centres of the election, reports BSS.
Talking to the news agency, Md Younus Ali, Khulna Regional Election Commissioner said four observation team are observing everyday and following candidates' code of conducts.
"If they witness any irregularities they would submit report along with evidence to Khulna EC office and EC would take action against the accused candidates as per election rules, he said.
"We are taking preparation to make the poll a total success," Younus Ali the returning Officer, has said adding the voters will cast their votes in free, fair and festive mood.
Meanwhile, main mayoral aspirants Khaleque and Manju passing their campaign hours at different city wards, bazaar, roads, offices and attended different professional bodies electoral meeting, gathering and view-exchange meeting.
Awami League led 14-party alliances, professional bodies and people in all walks of life campaigning separately for Khaleque round the clock while BNP-Jamaat alliance 20-party led by Gayewshar Chandra Roy also campaigning in favour of Manju.