Dhaka city polls
No step to ensure level-playing field, alleges BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Monday alleged that the Election Commission is not taking any step to ensure a level-playing field though their party candidates are being obstructed from carrying out electioneering ahead of the polls to two Dhaka city corporations.
Cabinet reshuffle unlikely before DNCC, DSCC polls: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday said the chances of Cabinet reshuffle before elections to the two Dhaka city corporations are slim.
“The Cabinet reshuffle is a routine work. And it’s under the Prime Minister’s jurisdiction. I don’t think there’ll be any expansion or reshuffle in the Cabinet before the city corporation polls,” he told reporters at the Secretariat.
The Awami League general secretary said the chances of reshuffle are “very low” but reiterated that the Prime Minister can make changes anytime.
Dhaka north and south city polls are scheduled for January 30.
Replying to a question, Quader, the number two man in the ruling party, said only the Prime Minister will decide who will stay in the Cabinet. “We’ll accept her decision. I’ll quit if (the Prime Minister) asks me to,” he said.
Asked about the report published in Sweden-based Bangla news portal Netra News on his seven luxury watches, the ruling party leader said party activists from abroad gifted him those.
“Activists gifted me these watches out of love. Someone brings coat-pins while someone suits. I didn’t buy anything,” he said.
The minister also claimed that he never sits with any contractor and the Prime Minister herself bears his election expenses.
According to the Netra report, each watch costs Tk 9 lakh to Tk 28 lakh.
Police threatening leaders ahead of DSCC, DNCC polls: BNP
The BNP on Friday accused law enforcement agencies of raiding houses of its leaders and activists and intimidating them ahead of elections to Dhaka south and north city corporations.
DNCC Mayor Atiqul quits to contest next polls
Atiqul Islam, the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), resigned from his post on Monday as he is going to take part in the upcoming city election for the same post with Awami League ticket.
Will assist new mayor: Sayeed Khokon
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon, who failed to secure the nomination for the next mayoral run from Awami League, on Monday said he will assist the new mayor with his experiences.
Govt won’t interfere in Dhaka city polls: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said the upcoming elections to the two city corporations of Dhaka will be free, fair and acceptable.
EVM to be used in Dhaka city polls: CEC
Expressing hope that the upcoming elections will be fair and held peacefully, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Saturday said electronic voting machines or EVMs will be used in polls to the two Dhaka City Corporations.