4 newly elected mayors sworn in City polls testimony of neutrality: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressing newly elected mayors and councillors of four city corporations after they were sworn in at the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital Sunday. Photo: TV Grab

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressing newly elected mayors and councillors of four city corporations after they were sworn in at the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital Sunday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Sunday that city corporation elections in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet were glaring example of holding free, fair and neutral polls in the country.

“We have proved that free, fair and neutral election is possible where people could exercise their franchise spontaneously,” she said after administering oath to the four newly elected city mayors at the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital.

M Mosaddek Hossain of Rajshahi, Ariful Haq of Sylhet, M Ahsan Habib Kamal of Barisal and M Moniruzzaman of Khulna were elected mayors in the June 15 elections.

Hasina urged the mayors to work for people with devotion.

“You would certainly have allegiance to party. But you must uphold the spirit of the oath that you have taken today through delivering service for the people,” she said.

The prime minister said four cities have witnessed unprecedented development over the last four years.

She urged the mayors, all from opposition party, to continue the pace of development, so that citizens are not deprived of civic amenities.

Hasina hoped that the mayors would keep them above all partisan role and fully engage them for welfare of the people.

She also urged them not to show any negligence in performing duties.

The prime minister wished all success of the newly elected mayors and hoped for working together to build up the nation.

Later, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam administered oath to the councilors. LGRD sectary Abul Alam M Shahid Khan conducted the function.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, PM’s advisor Prof M Modasser Ali and senior officials of the PMO, LGRD ministry and Election Commission were present.

Source: The Daily Star