Khulna and Barishal city polls underway

The awaited day allocated for the city corporation polls in Khulna and Barishal city areas.

People were seen gathering in the polling centres since morning.

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used to start voting this morning in the city corporation elections for Barishal and Khulna.

The polling was strted from 8:00 am and would continue till 4:00 pm without a break.

In Barishal, 276,298 voters will vote to choose the mayor and councillors.

Of the voters, 137,489 are males, and 138,809 are females. Seven mayoral candidates, 118 general councillor candidates, and 42 reserved councillor candidates will vie in the elections.

Of the 535,529 voters in Khulna 268,833 are males, and 266,696 are women.

A total of 180 candidates are contesting the election. Of them, five are contesting for the mayor‍‍`s post, 136 for the general councillor‍‍`s post and 39 for the reserved ward councillor‍‍`s post.

City residents in Barishal predicted a close race between Islami Andolon Bangladesh‍‍`s Mufti Syed Faizul and Awami League candidate Abul Khair Abdullah for mayor.

However, Talukder Abdul Khaleque, the AL candidate for mayor of Khulna, is unlikely to be challenged. However, locals indicated there will be stiff competition for the position of councilman.