After scrutiny of nomination papers, the number of valid candidates stands at 231 for the 13 upazila parishad elections slated for May 19.
Of them, 89 contestants each are for the chairman and vice chairman posts, and 53 are candidates for reserved vice chairman posts exclusive for women.
The returning officers concerned found nomination papers of the candidates valid following scrutiny on Saturday.
Earlier a total of 244 aspirants, including 95 chairman hopefuls, 96 vice chairman and 53 aspirants for reserved vice chairman posts for women submitted their nomination papers by the April 24 deadline to contest the 39 posts of the 13 upazilas across nine districts.
The 13 upazilas are Kaunia, Gangachara, Sadar and Pirgachha of Rangpur, Kamarkhand of Sirajganj, Taltali of Barguna, Rangabali of Patuakhali, Kalukhali of Rajbari, Bandar of Narayanganj, Gazipur Sadar, Basail of Tangail, Bijoynagar of Brahmanbaria and Adarsha Sadar and Sadar Dakkhin of Comilla.
On April 16, the Election Commission announced the election schedule for 14 upazilas, including Rangabali of Patuakhali.
But the commission subsequently postponed the polls of Rangabali upazilas due to emerging delimitation complexities and a writ petition is pending with the higher court in this regard.
Besides, four valid candidates were found for the by-election to the chairman post of Tarakanda upazila in Mymensingh, which is also scheduled to be held on May 19.
The returning officer concerned found nomination papers of the four chairman candidates out of five valid during scrutiny on Saturday.
Earlier, the commission held elections in 459 upazilas out of the country’s 487 in five phases between February 19 and March 31.
Source: UNBConnect