The ruling Awami League-backed candidates took the lead for the mayor posts in the first phase of the municipal elections held on Monday.

In the first phase, elections to 24 municipalities under 23 districts in the country were held with some isolated untoward incidents and allegations of rigging and intimidation reported.

EC, however, suspended the result of the mayor post at Chalna municipality in Khulna after BNP candidate Abul Khyer died of Covid-19 just before the polling had begun.

Awami League candidates won 18 municipalities of the rest 23 mayor posts while AL-backed councillor candidates also secured most wards.

Meanwhile, opposition BNP candidates won in two municipalities while independent candidates won the rest three. 

Election Commissioner Md Alamgir held a post-election press conference at Nirbachon Bhavan. 

He said elections were held peacefully and the rate of turnout was around 60 percent.

The 24 municipalities where election was held on Monday includes -- Panchagarh in Panchagarh district, Pirganj in Thakurgaon, Phulbari in Dinajpur, Badarganj in Rangpur, Kurigram in Kurigram district, Puthia and Katakhali in Rajshahi, Shahjadpur in Sirajganj, Chatmohar in Pabna, Khoksha in Kushtia, Chuadanga, Chalna in Khulna, Betagi in Barguna, Kuakata in Patuakhali, Wazirpur and Bakerganj in Barisal, Gafargaon in Mymensingh, Madan in Netrakona, Manikganj, Dhamrai in Dhaka, Derai in Sunamganj, Barlekha in Moulvibazar, Shayestaganj in Habiganj and Sitakunda in Chittagong.

At least 93 mayoral aspirants, 831 candidates for councillor posts and 266 women candidates for reserved seats contested in the election.

The second phase elections to 61 municipalities will be held on January 16, as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission.

BDST: 1320 HRS, DEC 29, 2020
AP