Advisers praise polls, but warn voters .................

Advisers praised the success on Tuesday of the first round of local elections, but warned voters against supporting unworthy candidates in future polls.

Local government adviser Anwarul Iqbal and communications adviser Ghulam Quader said Monday's polls proved that holding fair elections was very much possible.

Calling the local government polls 'a test case', both advisers said the government would now deliberate on and decide how far the state of emergency might be lifted during the forthcoming Jatiya Sangsad elections.

Leaving the local government ministry, Iqbal told reporters: "The successful staging of the polls has also been a huge success for the government."

"The Election Commission will have identified the problems associated with holding elections using voter lists with photos and address those problems to do better in the forthcoming national polls," he said.

"The elections have been well held despite our journey under the emergency. The polls have been conducted in a free, fair and disciplined environment," the former police chief said.

Asked if the government's image has taken a dent since some of the polls winners also happen to be graft suspects, he replied: "We only hope the candidates in future will be more aware, transparent and accountable."

Quader, the communication adviser, told reporters at the ministry: "You and I everyone has seen that Monday's elections have been successfully."

"On the wins of those accused of graft, I'll say that it's the responsibility of the voters, after all—to elect or not to elect—of rejecting or supporting a black money holder or a rogue."

"The government cannot have any say there," Quader said.

"The government's goals will not be possible to achieve unless the people vow to change their mindset and the nation's fate."

"Social movements will have to be waged first to effect change in the people's attitudes and behaviour. This election has initiated the process," said Quader.

"The government aims to hold really free and fair election, which it is gradually learning to be able to in the near future."

"The Election Commission will learn the lessons so that it may overcome any wrong steps taken of late," the adviser said.

Number of posts : 37 City/Town : USA Registration date : 2008-06-11

Awami League-backed mayoral candidates were leading in all four city corporation polls according to reports received at midnight last night.

While, out of nine pourashavas eight went to AL and one to BNP-backed candidates.

In 52 out of 120 polling centres of Sylhet City Corporation, AL candidate Badaruddin Kamran, with the election symbol Pineapple, the incumbent mayor, received 84,507 votes while his nearest rival AFM Kamal of BNP got 18,382 votes.

In 63 out of 129 centres in Rajshahi City Corporation, AL candidate AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, with the symbol Lock and Key, got 43,635 votes while his nearest rival BNP-Jamaat backed Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul received 32,132 votes.

AL supported candidate in Khulna City Corporation Talukder Abdul Khaleque obtained 19,657 votes (Chair) in 36 out of 239 centres, while his nearest rival incumbent mayor Moniruzzaman Mony of BNP got 16,217 votes.

In Barisal City Corporation, AL candidate Shawkat Hossain Hiron got 21,207 votes (Television) in 42 out of 91 centres, while his rival PDP candidate Sharfuddin Santu got 20,929 votes.

Meanwhile, Ramjan Ali, member of Manikgonj district AL central committee, has been elected mayor of Manikganj pourashava.

He bagged 16,208 votes, while his nearest contender Jubo Dal leader Nasiruddin Jadu polled 8,947 votes.

Ramjan Ali, who has been elected pourashava chairman for four consecutive times, is behind bars in a graft case since the caretaker government resumed power.

In Dhpchachia pourashava under Bogra district, BNP-backed Jahangir Alam has been elected municipality mayor obtaining 4,893 votes, while his nearest rival Nurul Haque Talukder received 2,684 votes.

Jahangir, General Secretary of Dhupchachia thana BNP, was the immediate past chairman of the pourashava.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Monirul Huda said that 12,443 or 94.17 per cent of 13,213 voters cast their votes.

Abdur Rouf Munshi, president of Shariatpur district Awami League, has been nominated pourashava mayor defeating his nearest rival BNP district general secretary Nasiruddin Kalu by 2,148 votes.

Rouf got 10,436 votes, while Kalu bagged 8,288 votes.

The number of total voters was 27,175 and polling booths numbered 18.

AL leader Zakaria Ahmed Pablu was declared mayor of Golapganj pourashava under Sylhet district.

Zakaria polled 5,421 votes, while his nearest rival Sirajul Jabbar Chowdhury, also of AL, got 3,475 votes.

Nayek Shafiul Alam Shafi of Awami League was declared unofficially elected mayor of Sitakunda pourashava.

Shafi polled 12,171 votes in all 13 polling centres, beating his nearest contender M Abul Kalam Azad by 4,213 votes.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdur Rouf said that 21,287 people or 84.56 per cent of 25,171 voters exercised their franchise.

AL leader Abdur Gafur elected mayor in Nayahata pourashava. He bagged 16,553 votes, while his nearest rival BNP leader Makbul Ahmed polled 6,883.

AL leader Golam Kibria was unofficially elected Mayor of Phulbaria pourashava in hard contest with BNP contender Chand Mahmud.

Kibria got 3,692 votes, while his nearest rival Mahmud polled 3,409 votes.

Anisur Rahman of Awami League was declared elected unofficial mayor of Sreepur pourashava with a wide margin.

Anis polled 17,805 votes, while his nearest rival Nurul Islam of BNP trailed behind with 7,670 votes

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