Arun Bikash Dey

Although doctors, nurses and health workers at port city hospitals are ready to provide treatment to coronavirus-infected persons, the healthcare centres are not yet well equipped to handle such patients.

At a time when the government has declared shut down of educational institutions and discouraged gatherings as precautionary measures against the possible spread of coronavirus in the country, candidates for the upcoming port city polls seem unperturbed by it and are continuing to hold rallies and public meetings.

Although somewhat overshadowed by the candidates of Awami League and BNP, five other mayoral aspirants in Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls have been conducting their election campaigns in the port city at full strength.

With Awami League and BNP both nominating candidates of relatively solid repute at the cost of public office experience for the mayoral post of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), residents of the port city are cautiously optimistic of a well-fought contest.

On October 22, 2018, a group of students could be seen distributing food to under-privileged people on the streets of Chattogram’s Patiya upazila.

Both BNP and AL-nominated mayoral candidates of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls focused on issues relating to holding taxes while campaigning yesterday, pledging to keep the tax rate at a tolerable level so residents do not suffer.

Awami League (AL) mayoral candidate in Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls Rezaul Karim Chowdhury steered clear of any badmouthing of his main opponent during electioneering yesterday, and the strategy seemed to be working in his favour.

Awami League mayor candidate Rezaul Karim started his campaign in Patharghata area of the port city yesterday.

None of the 12 incumbent ward councilors of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) who were deprived of Awami League (AL) nomination withdrew candidacy, although central leaders warned all rebel candidates to do so throughout the day.

Many Awami League rebel candidates for the Chattogram City Corporation councillor race are determined to contest the polls, despite the party’s strict order of not to do so.

The election to Chattogram City Corporation is scheduled to be held on March 29 with campaigning starting on March 9.

BNP’s mayoral candidate Shahadat Hossain demanded that the Election Commission change the date of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) elections as many people may leave the city getting a three-day weekend before the polls day.

An exclusive four-day terracotta sculpture exhibition, Namoniyo O Kothin, organised by Sculpture Centre Chattogram, concluded yesterday at Shilpakala Academy in the port city.

Income of BNP mayor candidate for Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls Shahadat Hossain is around five times higher than his main opponent, Awami League nominee Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.

The central Awami League leaders are trying to bring the factions of port city unit AL under the same umbrella in a bid to ensure victory for the party nominated mayor and councillor candidates in the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls.

The Election Commission (EC) has decided that mayoral and councillor candidates will not be able to use plastic-laminated posters for campaigning in Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls.

BNP will declare its mayoral candidate for Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) polls on February 24. Party insiders, however, said unlike Awami League, which chose a surprise candidate, their leadership will not make such a move.

There were rumours in political circles over the last week that Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin would not get the Awami League ticket to contest the upcoming Chattogram City Corporation election.

With a huge number of people thronging the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela every day, the MA Aziz stadium in Chattogram continues to wear a festive look.

The capital dredging work in the Karnaphuli has slowed down due to a deep layer of polythene in the riverbed.