DHAKA, February 23, (V7N) — State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and newly elected Dhaka-6 MP, Ishraque Hossain, has officially thrown his hat back into the ring for the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayoral election. In a brief but impactful Facebook post on Monday, Ishraque declared, “I will contest the city election from Dhaka South, InshaAllah,” signaling his intent to reclaim a mandate he believes was rightfully his.

The announcement coincides with a major administrative reshuffle by the Ministry of Local Government, which today appointed full-time administrators to six major city corporations. Md. Abdus Salam, a veteran member of the BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council, has been appointed to oversee the DSCC as administrator. These temporary appointments are intended to bridge the gap in civic governance until formal local elections are held, following the dissolution of the previous council.

Ishraque’s bid is rooted in a long-standing legal battle over the 2020 city polls. While the Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was initially declared the winner, an election tribunal on March 27, 2025, overturned that result, declaring Ishraque the lawful victor amid evidence of widespread rigging. Despite this legal vindication, bureaucratic hurdles during the interim period prevented him from taking the oath, prompting this fresh campaign to win back the Mayor's office through a direct vote.

Addressing the national outlook on local polls, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir clarified on Monday that the appointment of administrators is purely a temporary measure to ensure the continuity of public services. He emphasized that the government is committed to holding local body elections at the “right time,” as part of the broader democratic transition currently underway. Fakhrul noted that restoring trust in the electoral process at the grassroots level remains a core priority of the new cabinet.

While an official schedule from the Election Commission is still pending, Ishraque’s entry significantly raises the stakes for the capital’s political future. As the son of former undivided Dhaka Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Ishraque carries a significant legacy into a race that analysts expect will be a litmus test for the popularity of the new administration. The government is expected to announce the final election roadmap soon, following the conclusion of the current administrative transition.

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