Ukhiya, July 5 (V7N)- Five candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the position of chairman in the by-election of the 4th Rajapalong Union Parishad of Ukhiya upazila.
 
On Thursday, July 4, the candidates submitted their nomination papers to the upazila election and returning officer, Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, within the stipulated time by 5 PM.
 
The candidates who submitted their nomination papers are Professor Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, Faridul Alam (Contractor), Sadman Jami Chowdhury, Mokbul Hossain Mithun, and Abdul Malek Chowdhury.
 
According to the upazila election office, the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on July 5. Appeals against the returning officer's decisions can be made from July 6 to 8. Appeals will be resolved on July 9. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is July 10. Symbols will be allocated to the contesting candidates on July 11, and the election will be held on July 27. This time, voting will be conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
 
In the sixth Ukhiya upazila parishad election held on May 29, the chairman of Rajapalong Union Parishad, Jahangir Kabir Chowdhury, who was elected three times in a row and is the president of the upazila Awami League, resigned to run for the upazila parishad chairman position. Consequently, the chairman position of Rajapalong Union Parishad became vacant, and the Election Commission announced the by-election schedule on June 27.
 
Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, the upazila election and returning officer, said, “For the first time in the upazila parishad election, Ukhiya voters used EVM. There was some skepticism about whether they would properly accept this new method. With a higher voting percentage (45%) in this upazila compared to the previous two phases, we can say that the people of Ukhiya have warmly accepted the EVM system.”
 
He added, “We hope this by-election will be competitive, peaceful, and maintain a level playing field, and people will be able to cast their votes enthusiastically through EVM.”
 
Before submitting his nomination papers for the by-election, Humayun Kabir Chowdhury resigned from his position as a member of the Cox's Bazar district council and submitted his resignation letter to the upazila election office.
 
After submitting his nomination papers, Humayun Kabir Chowdhury said, “I want to complete the unfinished work of my younger brother Jahangir Kabir Chowdhury (the current upazila parishad chairman). If elected, I want to make the union drug-free, establish new institutions for educational development, improve transportation, and develop various sectors.”
 
Sadman Jami Chowdhury, who lost the chairman position in the previous union parishad election by ballot method, was apprehensive about vote rigging this time as well. He said, “We wanted EVM this time, and we got it. That’s why we decided to participate in the election.”
 
Thanking the Election Commission for the EVM system, Sadman Jami Chowdhury said, “With the EVM, I feel fifty percent secure. If CCTV cameras are installed at risky polling stations, the remaining fifty percent security will be ensured.”
 
Faridul Alam, known as a dedicated leader of the Awami League, said, “I have submitted my nomination papers. I hope for a free, fair, and impartial election.”
 
Former Chhatra League leader Mokbul Hossain Mithun said, “Young leadership is needed to build a smart Bangladesh. I know there are conspiracies against me in this election, and there will be. I will stay in the field until the end, breaking all the webs of conspiracies.”
 
The EVM voting will be held on July 27 at 15 polling stations. Rajapalong Union has a total of 42,598 voters, including 22,187 males and 20,411 females.

END/SIU/DK