I would contest polls taking all with us: Ivy

Dr Selina Hayat Ivy, the incumbent mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), yesterday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina for getting the party nomination for the upcoming NCC polls.

"I'm sincerely grateful to Bangabandhu's daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving party nomination to me for the NCC polls  I'm also grateful to the grassroots Awami League leaders and mass people in this regard," she said in her instant reaction after getting the AL nomination yesterday.

Ivy, daughter of late Ali Ahmad Chumka, a former chairman of Narayanganj municipality and AL leader, also said she would contest the polls taking all with us and forgetting differences. 

She also expressed firm optimism about her victory in the December 22 elections. "I would be victorious Insha Allah," she said. 

Meanwhile, a number of jubilant processions were brought out in Narayanganj town after reaching the news of giving AL nomination to Ivy.

Talking to reporters, District AL President Abdul Hai said though another candidate sought nomination from the party, there won't be any impact on the elections. "We would all work together in favour of Ivy," the veteran AL leader said.

Earlier, Bangladesh Awami League nominated Ivy to contest the mayoral post for the upcoming NCC polls.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the AL Local Government Nomination Board held at Ganabhaban, the official residence of the prime minister, here this evening, an AL press release said.

AL Local Government Nomination Board President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting.

The meeting took another decision that priority will be given to the public survey in extending party support among those who have applied for AL nomination in the district council elections, the release said. 

As per the decision of the meeting, district AL presidents and general secretaries have been requested to send names of 15 candidates for 15 wards and five women members with recommendation from each district for the district council elections to the Dhanmondi political office of the AL president.

The second NCC polls will be held on December 22, the Election Commission said.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed announced the polls schedule at a press conference on November 14.

The last date for submitting nomination papers is November 24, while nomination will be scrutinised on November 26 and 27. However it can be withdrawn by December 4, according to the schedule.

The maiden NCC elections were held on October 30, 2011.

Source: BSS