The elections of Dhaka North and South City Corporation ended through many incidents and discussions. After a month-long campaign by the candidates and supporters, the citizens got their new two 'guardians' for five years, those who will be responsible for the development of the city as well as will shoulder the task of making it livable.
Since the announcement of the schedule by EC, the rival candidates of the Dhaka City election have given a basket full of promises to the citizens. Someone wanted to make the capital 'Singapore' and someone wanted to make it 'Dubai'! No one lagged behind from making huge assurance of making a better city.
However, despite various questions about the election, Awami League nominees Atiqul Islam and Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapash have been elected as mayors of the North and South City, giving the city a 'dream of a new Dhaka'.
Now, let's see what the challenge is for the new mayors to fulfill their 'dream of a new Dhaka'. The question that comes to the mind of the citizens comes first ‘bite of mosquitoes’, water logging and garbage. City dwellers will also seek 'new mosquito-free city' gift from the new parents of the city!
Due to various problems, Dhaka City is sometimes affected by dengue and chikungunya. Again new diseases emerge off and on. Six months ago, the city was suffering from dengue. According to the source of the government, more than 150 people have died from the disease. Former mayor Saeed Khokon has paid the price being excluded from the race of mayors for this dengue syndrome. That's why mosquitoes and dengue-free city will be the big challenges for the newly elected mayors. . Saeed Khokon is a great example of the fact that if the city fathers’ failure to face such challenges are not forgiven by the citizens.
The two mayors of Awami League, who were elected after years of horrible dengue experience, said the key challenge in their election manifesto was to transform unplanned Dhaka into a planned city and implement a public response - development framework. They have vowed to solve various problems of the city, creating modern, well-governed and vibrant Dhaka. They have shown dreams to the citizens of transforming Dhaka into the ideal city of the world. They have also pledged to work to equip the future prosperous capital of Bangladesh.
Fazle Noor Tapash was a parliament member and leader of pro- Awami League lawyer’s forum. Leaving all these two prestigious posts he came into fray of mayoral race and finally crowned with success. He has also a rich heritage of politics. He is the son of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and grand- son of Minister Abdul Rob Serniabat. Both Moni and Serniabat were killed on August 15, 1975 along with the Bangabandhu. Tapash is also a grand son of Bangabnadhu. He is dreaming of building a modern Dhaka city as he pledged to his voters.
Atiqul Islam has been in office for nine months after winning the DNCC by-election. Atik described his nine months experience as a 'warm up'. He wanted to play 'Test' if he wins the election. Now Atiq received the verdict in the vote to play that ‘Test’.
Being elected mayor from the ruling party is a plus point for Atiq-Tapash. In this case, the government and the people themselves have to be interested in the development of the city. However, now it is time to tell the city how much of the development and commitment given to the citizens - how they will be implement.
The 400-year-old Dhaka city, situated on the banks of the river Buriganga, facing all the challenges and be stand up on the shoulders of its newly elected mayors. And this is also the 'expectations' of the citizens.
EVM technology was introduced for the first time in two cities in Dhaka. A total of 13 mayoral candidates from nine parties including Awami League-BNP contested the elections. A total of 334 candidates participated in the post of mayor, general ward councilor, and reserved ward councilor. In the South, a total of 424 candidates contested for the post of mayor, general ward councilor and reserved ward councilor.
Voting began on Saturday (Feb.1) at 8 am in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. Awami League nominee Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapash has been elected mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). He got 4 lakh 24 thousand 595 votes with the boat symbol. His nearest rival, BNP nominee Israq Hossain, got 2 lakh 36 thousand 512 votes. Awami League nominee Atiqul Islam has been re-elected mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). He received 4 lakh 47 thousand 211 votes. His nearest rival, BNP nominee Tabitha Awal got 2 lakh 64 thousand 161 votes.
It is important to note that the Awami League government divided the Dhaka City Corporation into two parts to ensure the services of a large number of citizens. The vote was held in Dhaka North and South City Corporation in 2015. Awami League won both. Anisul Haque won the North City Corporation and Saeed Khokon won the South City Corporation. After Anisul Haque died on November 30 of 2017, the Election Commission had arranged by-election on February 28 of 2019, after crossing a 6-month suspension by the court. Awami League-backed candidate and business leader MD. Atiqul Islam won the by-election.