Dhaka – Voting in Narayanganj ended with no reports of violence as electors exercise their right to franchise to choose representative in mayoral election in the city.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad termed the election to Narayanganj City Corporation free and fair. Soon after the closure of the balloting in the afternoon, Ahmad thanked all the people who put their efforts to ensure a credible election.

“I thank all people including law enforcers and media persons who helped to hold the election in a fair and credible manner,” Ahmad said at a press conference at his Election Commission secretariat in Dhaka.

Voting began in a festive mode with electors were seen waiting on long queues well before the polling stations opened at 8 am. The balloting continued without any break until 4 pm.

Contenders were apparently happy with the voting atmosphere.

Returning Officer Nuruzzaman Talukder said the election was peaceful, free and fair.

Paramilitary troopers drawn from Border Guard Bangladesh, posted as striking force, were seen patrolling streets in Narayanganj to maintain order during and after the polls to be contested mainly between ruling Awami League party and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

A total of 195 candidates contested for 37 posts. Of them, seven were contesting for the mayoral post and 156 are contesting in 27 wards while 38 are contesting for nine women reserved seats.

Seven candidates were contesting for the mayoral position. Awami League nominated candidate Salina Hayat Ivy and Bangladesh Nationalist Party nominated  candidate  Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan are contending the polls for the mayoral post with symbols ‘boat’ and ‘paddy sheaf respectively.

The five other mayoral contestants are Mahbubur Rahman Ismail of Bangladesh Biplabi Workers Party, Kamal Prodhan of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Maulana Md Masum Billah of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Mufti Azharul Haque of Islami Oikyajot, Md Rashed Ferdous of Bangladesh Kalyan Party.

Ruling Awami League party candidate Selina Hayat Ivy said her party will win the electoral race with big margins. BNP candidate Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan said his party will also win if the people cast votes without intimidation.

The election officials began counting the ballots as voting ended.