Jatiya Party yesterday extended its support to Awami League nominee Selina Hayat Ivy for mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation.

The party made the announcement at a press conference at the district AL's office.

"The Awami League did not field any candidate in the by-election in Narayanganj-5 constituency [in June 2014] showing respect to our party. In return, we have not nominated any mayoral candidate in this election and we are backing the Awami League nominee," said JP presidium member SM Faisal Chisty.

The JP high command issued directives to party men to work for Ivy, he told journalists, reports a correspondent in Narayanganj.

Meanwhile, JP lawmaker from Narayanganj-5 Selim Osman at another press conference in Fatullah on the outskirts of the city also announced his support for Ivy.

Rashed Ferdous, Bangladesh Kalyan Party's mayoral candidate, at a press meeting yesterday said he would stay away from Thursday's polls. He extended support to BNP candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan.

On Saturday, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidate Kamal Prodhan declared that he would work for Shakhawat.

However, the two cannot officially quit the electoral race as the deadline for withdrawal of nominations already expired.

Both the parties are components of the BNP-led 20-party alliance. Rashed and Kamal were expelled from their respective parties for failing to comply with party decisions on withdrawal of nominations.

LAST-MINUTE CAMPAIGN ON

Ivy yesterday said she firmly believed that AL lawmaker Shamim Osman was working for her.

"I want a fair election. There would be no problem if the Election Commission and the law enforcement agencies play their due role," she said during electioneering in the city's Khanpur area.

Awami League's mayor candidate Selina Hayat Ivy is in the midst of a cheering crowd in the city's Khanpur area. The photos were taken yesterday. Photo: Anisur Rahman

BNP candidate Shakhawat once again pressed for deployment of army in the city to maintain law and order.

"I don't think law and order has improved…. I am not satisfied with the deployment of BGB. I still demand that the Election Commission deploy army," he said in the city's Chashara area.

The over two-week electioneering will come to an end at midnight tonight. Electoral laws prohibit people from conducting campaigns, rallies and bringing out processions in the electoral area after the end of campaigning. The ban comes into force 32 hours prior to the start of polling.

According to an EC circular, there would be a ban on plying of motorcycles in the electoral area from 12:01am Tuesday to 12:01am Friday.

Besides, motorised vehicles will be barred from plying the city streets from 12:01am Thursday to 12:01am Friday. 

Returning Officer of the city polls Nuruzzaman Talukder said 22 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed in the city yesterday afternoon. Each platoon comprises of around 25 to 30 members.

The BGB will work along with other law enforcement agencies till December 23, he added.

The district administration imposed an embargo on outsiders' stay in the electoral area from 12:01am today. The district administration announced this over loudspeakers in different areas of the city yesterday.

Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz yesterday warned of taking stern action against those who would be responsible for occurrence of any untoward incident during Thursday's election.

The commission has taken all necessary preparations to hold the polls in a free manner, he told reporters at the EC secretariat.    

VOTE FOR SHAKHAWAT: KHALEDA

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon voters of Narayanganj city to cast their votes for the BNP candidate in a show of protest at the government's "misdeeds and misrule".

"I hope you [Narayanganj city dwellers] will create a silent revolution in the December 22 polls," she said in a press statement.

The former prime minister also asked the 20-party alliance men to play a courageous role to make Shakhawat victorious.