After the Election Commission cancelled their nomination papers, two candidates in the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) election have got their candidacy back through appeal.
Among them, one is mayor candidate, while the other one stood for ward councilor post. The mayor candidate's name is Murad Morshed. He is the only independent candidate. However, the leftist organization 'Gano Sanghoti Andolan' supported him.
On Sunday, the first day of scrutiny of nomination papers, returning officer Syed Amirul Islam cancelled his candidacy on accusation of fake signature of his supporters.
Ward councilor candidate Zillur Rahman also regained his candidacy. He will compete in ward number 17. He primarily lost the candidacy because he is a contractor of RCC.
Earlier, the two candidates appealed to the Divisional Commissioner Nur-ur-Rahman against the cancellation decision of the Election Commission. In the presence of Election Commission officials and candidates, after hearing, they were declared as legitimate candidates.
Senior District Election Officer Atiar Rahman said that the candidature of one mayor and three councilor candidates were cancelled during the scrutiny of the nomination papers.
But only two candidates appealed against the cancellation on Tuesday. Hearing on the appeal was held on Wednesday morning. When the candidates showed evidence of their validity there, their candidacy was declared valid.
The number of total candidates now stands at 225. Of them, there are six candidates for mayor post, 167 for general councilor and 52 for reserved women ward councilor posts.
There is an option to withdraw candidacy till 9 July. Symbol will be allocated on the next day. Then candidates can go for formal campaign. Voting will be held on 30 July. There are 138 polling centers in 30 wards of Rajshahi city.
