Symbol allocated to 13th JS Election candidates in Rajshahi

The process of allocating election symbols to candidates contesting the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections in
Rajshahi has been completed.

A total of 29 candidates in six parliamentary constituencies across the district have been allotted their respective symbols.

The Election Commission stated that candidates will be able to officially begin their election campaigns from today in compliance with the electoral code of conduct.

The symbol allocation process began at 10:30 am on Wednesday at the office of the Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer.

In the presence of all candidates and their representatives, the District Returning Officer Afia Akhter formally allocated the symbols. The Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officers, and members of the law enforcement agencies were present during the process.

At the outset, the Election Commission briefed the candidates on the electoral code of conduct. This was followed by detailed discussions between the candidates and the Returning Officer on various issues, including restrictions on banners and festoons, public meetings, rallies, and
processions.

The formal allocation of symbols started at 11:30 am. Of the candidates, 26 party-nominated contenders across the six Rajshahi constituencies received their respective party symbols.

In addition, three independent candidates from two constituencies were allotted their preferred symbols.

Among them, independent young candidate Saleh Ahmed in the Rajshahi-2 (Sadar) constituency received the motorcycle symbol.

In the Rajshahi-5 (Puthia-Durgapur) constituency, Isfa Khairul Haque, former joint secretary of Puthia Upazila BNP and a BNP rebel independent candidate,  was allotted the horse symbol, while Barrister Rezaul Karim, current joint secretary of the UK Zia Parishad and an independent BNP candidate, received the football symbol.

Meanwhile, during the symbol allocation process, protests were staged against the participation in the election and the allocation of symbols to Jatiya Party candidates in the Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara), Rajshahi-6 (Charghat-Bagha),  and Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohanpur) constituencies.

The protest was led by Nahidul Islam Saju, former coordinator of the Anti- Discrimination Student Movement and former organizing secretary of the district National Citizen Party (NCP).

After the protest, he submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.