Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has congratulated newly elected city corporation and municipality mayors, councillors and those who voted in Monday's local elections held amid a state of emergency.
The AL president, who is currently staying in the US, sent the greetings through her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Tuesday morning, AL said in a statement.
AL-backed nominees unofficially swept all four city corporations and eight of the nine municipalities in the elections held Monday.
"People's enthusiasm for voting amid the state of emergency has proved that they want a democratic government through a fair, transparent and acceptable election," Hasina said.
She asked the government and Election Commission to take account of people's feelings to this end.
Hasina also demanded the release of all party leaders and activists, including second-time elected Sylhet mayor Badaruddin Kamran who is currently behind bars on corruption charges.
On the winning candidates and party supporters, she said: "The victory has been achieved through your hard work and overall cooperation."
Mentioning a number of untoward occurrences in some polling areas, including Barisal Hasina asked the EC and concerned authorities to be careful of such incidents in future.
"People expect that the government and the EC will be more sincere in establishing their constitutional rights," the AL chief said.
Subject: Hasina congratulates winners, voters ....................... 
Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:54 pm
