Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah (Khokon Serniabat) won the Barishal City Corporation election with 87,807 votes, according to unofficial results of all the 126 centres. Humayun Kabir, returning officer of the Barishal City Corporation election, unofficially announced the results at the district's Shilpakala Academy at around 9:45pm. Abul Khair defeated his nearest rival, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim (Handfan), by 53,979 votes. Mufti Faizul Karim bagged 33,828 votes. Also read: AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls Meanwhile, Abul Khair said he will implement the promises made in the election manifesto in phases. Among other candidates, Jatiya Party’s mayor candidate Engineer Iqbal Hossain Taposh (Plough) got 6,665 votes, independent mayor candidate (Table clock) Md Kamrul Hassan Rupon bagged 7,999 votes, Zaker Party candidate (Rose) Md Mizanur Rahman Bachhu got 2,546 votes. A total of 142,177 voters -- among 276,297 eligible voters – casted their ballots in Barishal city polls. Also read: Islami Andolan Bangladesh rejects Barishal, Khulna city polls results The voter turnout in Barishal was recorded at 51.46%, according to the returning officer. Voting in the BCC election began at 8 am and continued till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines were used at all the centres to cast votes. Seven mayoral candidates, 119 general councillor candidates and 42 reserved councillor candidates participated in the Barishal city polls. Also read: Barishal city polls: Woman says Islami Andolon supporter attacked her over recording video About 4500 members of law enforcement agencies, 10 platoons of BGB, 30 executive magistrates, and 10 judicial magistrates performed duty during the polls.

Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque won the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election with 1,54,825 votes, according to unofficial results. Khulna City Corporation elections Returning Officer Md Alauddin announced the results after counting of votes ended at all 289 polling centres. His nearest rival, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md Abdul Awal  got 60,064 votes, said Alauddin. Also read: Voting in Khulna, Barishal city polls end; counting on According to unofficial results, Jatiya Party’s  Shafiqul Islam Madhu (plough) bagged 18,074 votes, Independent candidate SM Shafiqur Rahman (clock) got 17,218 and  Jaker Party’s SM Sabbir Hossain (rose) got 6,096 votes. Earlier, voting in the Khulna City Corporation (GCC) election began on Monday using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in all polling stations in a peaceful manner. The voting began around 8 am and continued till 4 pm without any break. Also read: Khulna city polls: BNP orders activists, supporters to stay away from voting However, some minor irregularities were reported in both elections causing injuries to some people. Out of 5,35,529 voters eligible for voting in elections across Khulna, 2,56,433 casted their ballots at 1,732 booths of 289 polling stations in Khulna City Corporation elections. Alauddin said 45% voters cast their ballots today. Also read: Voting underway in festive environment in Barishal, Khulna cities: EC Habib Five candidates contested for the mayoral post in Khulna City Corporation election while 136 contested for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats. Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 were elected unopposed earlier. Meanwhile, eleven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) carried out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Also read: Khulna city polls: Low voter turnout at many centres

As the day unfolded, the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election witnessed a decline in voter turnout, with many polling centres looking deserted. Talking to presiding officers, UNB's Khulna correspondent reported that on average, 11 percent votes were cast as of 11 am. Also read: Khulna city polls: Jatiya Party's mayor candidate says agents barred from entering polling stations Shaheed Suhrawardy College centre under ward 25 witnessed a particularly low voter turnout with a voting rate of 9.02 percent. Ranjit Kumar Biswas, presiding officer of the centre, said only 135 votes had been cast by 11 am, despite a total of 1,493 registered voters. Similarly, under ward 18, the Darul Quran Siddiquia Kamil Madrasa centre also saw a low voter turnout with a rate of 10.25 percent. Mohammad Manik, presiding officer of the centre, said that out of 1,658 registered voters, a mere 170 had cast their votes by 11 am. In ward 19, the National High School centre reported an 11 percent voter turnout. Two presiding officers from ward 27 said that the PTI women's centre had witnessed a 7.02 percent polling rate, while the men's centre had recorded a 9 percent turnout by 11 am. Also Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates However, an exception was observed at the Khulna College centre, in ward 17. Out of 2,868 registered voters at that centre, 533 had cast their votes by 11 am, reflecting a polling rate of 18.58 percent. A total of five candidates are vying for the mayoral post in Khulna city, 134 for 31 general councillors, and 39 for 10 reserved female councillors' posts. Also Read: Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters SM Khurshid Ahmed Tona in ward 13 and ZA Mahmud Don in ward 24 were elected unopposed. The total number of registered voters in Khulna City Corporation is 5,35,528.

Jatiya Party (Ershad) backed mayoral candidate Iqbal Hossain Taposh and independent candidate Kamrul Islam Rupon alleged that voters are being barred from coming to the polling stations as Barishal City Corporation (BCC) election is underway. Moreover, agents were forced to leave the centres, the candidates said shortly after the election began amid much enthusiasm. They also said the process to vote was slow at the polling stations. Taposh who is contesting with the electoral symbol ‘plough’ alleged that women voters are being barred from coming to the polling stations. Read: Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters “Activists of Chhatra and Jubo League are barring the voters and their target is a low voter turnout,” he claimed, saying that voters are being discouraged and intimidated outside the polling centres. The Jatiya party-backed candidate made the remarks after casting his vote at Syed Abul Manan DDF Alim Madrasah centre on Gorostan road in the city. On the other hand, independent candidate Rupon who cast his vote at Alekanda Govt Primary School centre alleged that his agents are barred from entering polling stations and some were forced to leave the centres. He also said the environment is not favourable for a fair election. Read:All set to hold Barishal City Corporation polls tomorrow, EVM reaches at 126 centres Voting in the BCC election began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines are being used at all the centres to take votes. Seven candidates are competing for the mayoral post in the Barishal city polls. Besides, 119 candidates are in the race for the post of general councillor and 42 candidates for the reserved councillor post. A total of 276,298 voters will be able to cast their votes in 126 polling stations under 30 wards. Of the centres, 106 are considered “vulnerable”. Read more:1500 EVMs reach Barishal for upcoming city poll Ten platoons of the BGB remain deployed in the BCC election along with 4,500 members of the law enforcing agencies.

Voting in Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and Barishal City Corporation (BCC) elections began amid much enthusiasm this morning (June 12, 2023). Voters are seen standing in long queues at polling centres to cast their votes using electronic voting machines (EVM) in a peaceful manner. Voting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. No untoward incident was reported till this report was filed around 8:30 am. The city corporation elections are being monitored by the Election Commission from Dhaka through CCTV cameras. Read:EC ready to hold Khulna city polls tomorrow, BGB deployed  A good number of law enforcers have been deployed to ensure tight security measures at each polling station so that voters can exercise their right. In the Khulna city corporation election, five candidates are vying for the mayoral post, 136 for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats. Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 were elected unopposed earlier. Awami League-backed candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque cast his vote at Pioneer Secondary Girls School centre on the city’s South Central Road around 9:10am. Read:Gazipur city polls will be free and fair, says EC commissioner After voting, the mayoral candidate said the election is being held in a free, fair manner. “I will accept whatever result coming from the voters,” he said, hoping that people will vote for him for continuation of the development. Eleven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are carrying out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). There are 5,35,528 voters in the 31 wards of Khulna city and there are 1,732 polling booths under 289 polling stations. Read more:BNP won’t join 5 city polls in any way: Fakhrul Of them, 161 polling stations are considered “vulnerable”. On the other hand, seven candidates are competing for the mayoral post in the Barishal city polls. Besides, 119 candidates are in the race for the post of general councillor and 42 candidates for the reserved councillor post. Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah Khokon Serniabat cast his vote at the Government Barishal College on Kalibari road in the city. Read more: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates Jatiya Party-backed candidate Iqbal Hossain Taposh exercised his franchise at Syed Abul Manan DDF Alim Madrasah on Gorostan road, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim at Rupatoli Housing Abdur Rob Serniabat Secondary School. Zaker Party’s candidate Md Mizanur Rahman Bachhu also cast his vote at Chhutpur Secondary School while independent candidate Md Kamrul Ahsan Rupon at Alekanda Govt Primary School in the city. A total of 276,298 voters will be able to cast their votes in 126 polling stations in 30 wards. Of the centres, 106 are considered “vulnerable”. Ten platoons of the BGB remain deployed in the BCC election along with 4,500 members of the law enforcing agencies. Read more: Jamaat's statement on resisting upcoming nat'l election came from BNP: Hasan Mahmud

The Election Commission (EC) has completed all preparations ahead of the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election, scheduled to be held tomorrow (June 12, 2023).  Distribution of all electoral materials from the city’s Divisional Mohila Krira Complex will start from 11 am today.  Returning Officer Md Alauddin said voting at all centres in the KCC election will be held using electronic voting machines (EVM).  Read: KCC Election: 161 polling stations out of 289 vulnerable He said five candidates for mayoral post, 136 for general councillors for 31 wards and 39 for reserved seats will compete in the election.  Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 have been elected unopposed, he said, adding that voting will start at 8 am and will continue till 4pm, without any break.  Khandaker Yasir Arefin, deputy commissioner of Khulna, said 11 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to ensure security in the KCC election and they have been patrolling since this morning.   Each platoon comprising 20 members of the BGB will assist 11 executive magistrates in conducting mobile court, the DC said.    Read:KCC polls: Formal electioneering begins through allocation of symbols Campaigning for the election started on May 26 with the allocation of election symbols and stopped on Saturday midnight as per order of the EC.  The whole city has been wearing a festive look during the electioneering. A total of 5,35,528 people are supposed to exercise their franchise in the 31 wards of Khulna city and there are 1,732 polling booths under 289 polling stations. Read more:Will ensure level playing field in KCC polls: CEC

The United States says it is looking forward to “deepening” its relationship with Bangladesh in a number of areas – addressing energy, climate issues and economy. “That being said, we also will continue to push for the freedom of expression of religion and faiths of all people around the world,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a regular briefing at the US Department of State on June 5. REad: US consistent on the need for free, fair election in Bangladesh: White House Responding to a question on the recently held Gazipur City Corporation election, he said, “I’m not going to speak or get into specific election results in another country.” “What I will just say is what you just heard me say to your colleague, is that we are committed to the promotion of democracy and free and fair elections around the world,” Patel said. REad: US calls upcoming national election an 'internal' affair of Bangladesh The government, political parties, civil society, and the media in Bangladesh have all expressed their desire that the upcoming national election be free, fair, and peaceful, Patel said. In support of free, fair and peaceful election, the US announced a new policy that allows them to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals, including current or former officials, pro-government or opposition political party members, and others believed to be responsible for or complicit in “undermining the democratic election process” in Bangladesh, Patel said. REad: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam

Nineteen BNP leaders including former Chhatra Dal leader Quamrul Ahsan Rupon, have been expelled for life for contesting the upcoming Barishal City Corporation election defying the party's decision to boycott all polls under the incumbent government. The matter was confirmed through a letter signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday (June 4, 2023). According to the letter sent to Quamrul Ahsan Rupon, on June 2, BNP served a show cause notice to Quamrul for participating in the Barishal City Corporation Election slated for June 12 ignoring party’s decision. Read more: Japan wants to understand what’s happening in Bangladesh and where it’s headed, BNP says as ambassador meets Fakhrul But as his response was not satisfactory, the central committee of BNP stamped him as ‘Mir Zafar’ and decided to expel him from the party for life. Besides, BNP also served show-cause notices to 18 BNP other leaders for the same reason. They were expelled from the party for life as their response was not satisfactory. Earlier, the metropolitan unit BNP recommended expelling the 19 BNP leaders. Read more: It’s undoubtedly a smart budget for plundering public money: BNP   Seven candidates will fight for the mayoral post in the upcoming Barishal City Corporation election on June 12.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has said the Election Commission wants to hold a fair election in Barishal with coordinated effort. If someone breaks the rules during Barishal City Corporation elections, the candidates have to try to resist it. There will be a presiding officer to whom their polling agents will complain, said the CEC. “If the presiding officer neglects his duty, we will take strict action against him. You (candidates) also have to perform your duties well,” he said while addressing a meeting with Barishal City Corporation election candidates. The meeting was organized by the Returning Officer of the election at Barishal Shilpakala Academy hall on Saturday (May 27, 2023) evening. Also read: Barisal city polls: 7 mayoral candidates get symbols In the meeting, the CEC listened to various complaints of the candidates and took on board possible solutions and various suggestions. “Everyone should be awake on Election Day. I am not saying that the election will be held well just because of our efforts. You should try to do the same. It won't be a single attempt by law enforcement. There has to be a concerted effort,” he said. “Gazipur city election is an example of how the presiding officers will perform their duties properly. The presiding officers performed their duties fairly well. If we get complaints that voters could not go to the centre, could not vote, there were manstans in the centre, they resisted them, then our election will be questioned,” added the CEC. “The polling agents, you (candidates) will have to resist equally inside. If you show power and say I have to vote, then democracy has been destroyed. If elected, there will be no support from the people. So there will be a call that you will try to develop democracy in a healthy way,” the CEC said. Also read: Barishal City Polls: 10 Mayoral candidates submit nomination papers He also announced that all the polling stations in Barishal will have CCTV cameras, like Gazipur. Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan and Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Md Jahangir Alam were present as special guests at the event.

Voting in the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) election began on Thursday (May 25, 2023) using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in all polling stations in a peaceful manner. The voting began around 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. Eight candidates are contesting for mayoral posts in the election and there are 248 councillors and 79 female councilor candidates. A total of 11,79,476 voters are eligible to vote and of them, 5,92,762 are men and 5,86,696 are women, and the number of transgender people is 18. Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana said that Gazipur City Corporation voting will be held in a free and fair environment and voters can cast their vote peacefully. Also read: Gazipur city polls will be free and fair, says EC commissioner The commissioner said this while exchanging views with journalists after a meeting with magistrates on maintaining law and order in the Gazipur City Corporation election at Gazipur Circuit House on Wednesday. The election commission will monitor the election through CCTVs, which were set up in all polling stations. Tight security A total of 13,000 law enforcers have been deployed to maintain law and order during the election, said Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Molla Nazrul Islam on Wednesday. “ 20-22 members of law enforcement agencies will perform duty at each centre. I hope a free and fair election will be held with the efforts of all amid foolproof security,” he told UNB. Twenty platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have been deployed alongside 30 teams of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and Ansar members, said Returning Officer Faridul Islam. Read more: 13,000 law enforcers to be on polls duty: GMP Commissioner Mobile teams will be there in 57 wards while 19 striking forces led by 19 magistrates will remain vigilant at the polling centers.