Shawdesh Desk:

Vote counting in Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) began this afternoon after the voting ended at 4:00pm.

Voting started at 8:00am this morning using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Some seven candidates have been contesting the Narayanganj City Corporation mayoral elections.

Voters hope that the main contest will be take place between Awami League candidate Dr Selina Hayat Ivy’s Boat symbol and independent candidate Taimur Alam Khandaker’s Elephant symbol.

Taimur Alam has been expelled from the post of BNP for his contest in the polls, defying the party discipline.

BNP has decided to boycott any polls under the AL tenure, alleging that elections cannot be held in free and fair manner under the present regime.

Both the contenders are hopeful of their victory in the NCC mayoral polls after several weeks of hectic campaigns in a festive atmosphere.

Besides the mayoral candidates, some 180 other candidates — 148 for 27 councillor posts and 32 women for 9 reserved posts — are also running the race in the NCC polls.

Ivy was re-elected NCC mayor in 2016, contesting the polls with the Boat symbol. She became the first NCC mayor in 2011, defeating AL heavyweight Shamim Osman.

Meanwhile, elections in five municipalities — Banshkhali, Noakhali, Jhikargachha, Bagatipara and Natore — and by-polls in Tangail-7 constituency were held today.