Dhaka, Feb 26 (UNB) - The Election Commission has imposed a ban on the plying of motorcycles and motorised vehicles without EC’s stickers in the city as part of the security measures to hold the elections to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Thursday peacefully.

While the restrictions on the plying of motorbikes are set to come into effect on Tuesday midnight, that for motorised vehicles will be effective from Wednesday midnight. 

However, vehicles of emergency services, including ambulance, fire service and postal department, will remain out of the ban purview. Restrictions on the plying of both motorbikes and other vehicles will be lifted on Thursday midnight.

By-election will be held for the mayoral post of the DNCC, while election for ward councillors will be held for 18 extended wards each of both the two city corporations. Besides, election for the posts of female councillors of six reserve seats each in the two city corporations will be also held on Thursday.

Meanwhile, electioneering in the elections is set to come to an end on Tuesday midnight, 36 hours before the voting begins at 8am on Thursday.

Sources at the Election Commission said a total of 309 candidates are contesting for 36 councillor posts, while 70 female aspirants for 12 reserve seats of both the city corporations.

Five candidates -- Atiqul Islam from Awami League, Shafin Ahmed from Jatiya Party, Anisur Rahman Dewan from National People's Party, Shahin Khan of Progressive Democratic Party and an independent candidate Abdur Rahim – are there in the election race for the DNCC mayoral post.