Newly elected mayors of three city corporations — Abul Khair Abdullah of Barishal, Talukder Abdul Khaleque of Khulna and Jayeda Khatun of Gazipur — took oath this morning. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina administered the oath at a ceremony held in Shapla Hall of her office. Later, 157 newly elected councillors of general wards and female councillors of the reserved seats of the three city corporations also took oath at the same venue. AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam administered the councillors’ oaths. Local Government Division Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim conducted the oath-taking ceremony. State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharjee was present on the occasion. AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls On June 12, Awami League mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah (Khokon Serniabat) won the Barishal City Corporation election with 87,807 votes. His nearest rival Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim bagged 33,828 votes. Awami League mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque won the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election with 1,54,825 votes. His nearest rival Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md Abdul Awal got 60,064 votes in the polls held on June 12. AL not embarrassed by results of Gazipur city election: Agri Minister Razzaque On May 25, independent candidate Jayeda Khatun won the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) polls with 238,934 votes, defeating her nearest rival Awami League-nominated candidate Azmat Ullah Khan who bagged 222,737 votes.  

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rain or thundershowers in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, over 24 hours — starting from 9 am today (June 26, 2023). "Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at most places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over southern part of the country," the Met Office said. The highest, 67 mm, rainfall was recorded in Barishal district in the country in 24 hours till 6 am on Monday. Also Read: Maritime ports advised to hoist cautionary signal 3; More rains likely The country may witness more rain over the next 72 hours, BMD also said. Meanwhile, the low-pressure area over northwest Bay and adjoining Odisha-West Bengal coasts in India now lies over north Odisha and adjoining area. Summer Safety Tips for Elderly to Avoid Heat-related Illnesses Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country, the weather forecast added. The country’s highest temperature, 36.1 degree Celsius, was recorded in Rangpur on Monday. Summer Heatwave: Here’s How to Keep Children Safe

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.

Several supporters of mayoral candidates backed by Awami League (AL) and Islami Andolon Bangladesh were injured in a clash over entering a polling centre, as Barishal City Corporation election is underway today (June 12, 2023). Islami Andolon candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, who is contesting the election with the ‘hand fan’ symbol, alleged that several of his supporters as well as he were injured in an attack by AL men when they were about to enter the Kawnia Secondary Girls School centre. He said voters and his agents were forced to leave the Kawnia centre and Manik Miah centre. “Activists of the AL mayoral candidate barred me from entering the Kawnia centre when I tried to lodge a complaint with the presiding officer,” the Islami Andolon candidate told UNB Barishal correspondent. “I, along with several of my supporters, was injured in the attack,” he said. Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates Denying the allegation made by the Islami Andolon candidate and supporters, AL activist Biddyut said they only told them that they "should not enter the polling centre with such a big crowd." “Rather they (Islami Andolon activists) carried out an attack on us with knives, leaving several men injured,” he said.

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

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.

Mild heat wave may sweep parts of  Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna and  Barishal  divisions in 24 hours from 9am on Monday (May 29, 2023), said Bangladesh Metrological Department . Besides, weather may remain mainly dry over the country, having chances of rain or thunder showers at one or two places in Khulna division. Read more: Dhaka air once again world’s most polluted this morning Day temperature may rise by (1-2)°C and night temperature may rise slightly over the country, said  a bulletin of BMD. The country’s highest temperature 36.6 degree Celsius  was recorded in Barishal’s Khpupara on Sunday while the lowest temperature was recorded on Monday at 22.0 degrees Celsius in Tetulia. Read more: Heat wave in Asia made 30 times more likely because of climate change, scientists say

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.

Dhaka and five other divisions may experience rain or thundershowers in 24 hours from 9 am on Wednesday (May 24, 2023). Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at many places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions with hails at isolated places over the country, said a bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Also Read: Despite rain, Dhaka's air quality 'unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning A mild heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, and Madaripur and it may abate from some places, it read. Day and Night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Wind direction and speed at Dhaka were recorded as 10-15 kph East/southeasterly, with temporary gusting to 30-40 kph. The country’s highest temperature was recorded at 36.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday in Khulna and the lowest temperature was recorded in Tetulia at 20.2 degrees Celsius. Read more: Govt issues precautionary measures to avoid lightning strikes