With two days left to buy nomination papers, as many as 222 candidates, including seven for the mayoral post, have so far collected papers to contest in the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) elections slated for June 12.
The last date for submission of the nomination papers has been set for May 16, while the electoral symbols among the candidates will be distributed on May 26 after scrutinising the submitted nomination papers.
Eight candidates for councillor post have so far submitted the nomination papers while two women for reserved post.
Those who have so far collected nomination papers for the mayoral post are Md Shafiqul Islam Madhu from Jatiya Party, Md Abdullah Chowdhury Aguan-71, incumbent Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque from Awami League, Maulana Abdul Awal Islami Andolan Bangladesh, independent candidates Abdul Gaffar Biswas who is also a former lawmaker, SM Shafiqur Rahman, Engineer Syed Kamrul Islam.
Returning Officer Md Alauddin said seven candidates for the mayor's post, 175 for the general councilor's post and 40 for the reserved councilor's post collected nomination papers by Friday.
He said the candidates are advised to follow the electoral code of conduct and also instructed to remove promotional materials.
Though the formal electioneering is yet to start, candidates and their supporters under several banners are on the field to woo voters.
leaders and activists seem indifferent in the field of the KCC elections but their main rival Awami League is active with many pledges to vote for the party for continuation of the development and completion of the incomplete works.
A total of 5, 35, 528 voters under 31 wards are expected to cast their votes on June 12 from 8am to 4pm.
