The nomination paper of Gazipur City Corporation’s (GCC) former mayor Jahangir Alam was cancelled today in primary scrutinization, as he is a “loan defaulter”.  However, the nomination of his mother Zaida Khatun was declared valid at the same time. Faridul Islam, returning officer of the GCC election, announced the cancellation of nomination papers of three candidates, including Jahangir Alam, during scrutinizing. On the other hand, nomination papers of nine out of the 12 mayoral candidates, including Awami League-backed Advocate Azmat Ullah Khan, were declared valid. The former Gazipur mayor was the guarantor of an industrial organization. Jahangir was declared a loan defaulter along with the organization, the returning officer said. Though the former mayor and his counsel submitted documents demonstrating paying off the loan along with the nomination paper, the returning officer cancelled his nomination during the scrutinization. Read more: Gazipur polls: 12 mayoral candidates submit nomination papers Terming the role of election officers “biased”, Jahangir said he will move the court to get justice in this regard. On the other hand, the candidates whose nominations were declared valid termed the process “just and fair”. Among the mayoral candidates whose nominations were declared valid are Jatiya Party's MM Niaz Uddin; independent candidates Abdullah Al Mamun Mandal, Sarkar Shahnur Islam and Md. Harun-or-Rashid. The deadline for the submission of nomination papers was April 27, while the date for the scrutinization of nomination papers was today, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been set on May 8.   Information from the Office of Returning Officer shows 13 candidates withdrew their nomination papers. Meanwhile, 290 submitted nominations for the post of general councillors and 82 for the post of reserved women councillors. According to the district election office, the total number of registered voters in the 57-ward Gazipur City Corporation is 11,843,363. The voters will choose their next mayor through electronic voting machines (EVMs) on May 25.

Voter turnout in Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election is good as 40% voters have exercised their franchise till noon, said returning officer Mahfuza Akter. “The number of voters increased after noon. Some 40% people have cast their votes in the election till now,” she told UNB on Sunday. However, she also said that the voting is going on peacefully. There is no report of any unwanted incident till the filling of this report around 2:30 pm. Balloting for the Narayanganj City Corporation election started at 8am and will continue till 4pm without any break. READ: NCC polls: Voting underway amid tight security The electioneering officially ended on Friday midnight. Seven candidates are running for the post of the NCC mayor including AL nominated Selina Hayat Ivy and her  principal rival Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker, a veteran BNP who has been contesting as an independent candidate. Taimur cast his vote at Masdair Islamia Fazil Madrasha center in the morning. Besides, 148 candidates are contesting for 27 ward councilors post while 38 women are contesting for conserved seats for women in the NCC polls. READ: NCC: An unprecedented hattrick, or the mother of all upsets? This time the NCC elections have 517,357 voters – including 257,519 females.  However, there are some 42,418 first-time voters.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Returning Officer Abul Kashem said on Saturday morning that the number of voters will increase gradually.