Dhaka: Though Bangladesh Nationalist Party is yet to come up with any formal announcement to join the elections, party leaders Abdul Awal Mintoo and Abdus Salam on Wednesday collected nomination papers to contest the upcoming two Dhaka city corporation elections as mayoral candidates.

Tafsir M Awal, son of Abdul Awal Mintoo, collected a nomination paper on behalf of his father at about 4:10pm for the mayor post of the Dhaka North City Corporation, Nazrul Islam, a staff officer of returning officer of DNCC, said.

‘But, we’re concerned whether the election will be free and fair. We’ll talk to the Election Commission in this regard,’ Tafsir told reporters.

Asked whether there will be any legal problem as his father is facing some criminal cases, he said they have taken every step in consultation with lawyers.

Replying to another question whether BNP is backing Mintoo, Tafsir said, ‘It’s a non-partisan election. As he (Mintoo) is an adviser to BNP chairperson, her endorsement is necessary for contesting the polls. She’ll surely bless him if he participates in the election.’

Meanwhile, BNP leaders Fakhrul Islam Selim and Monirul Islam collected nomination paper on behalf of former Dhaka Dhaka city BNP member secretary Abdus Salam at about 4:00pm for the mayoral race in the Dhaka South City Corporation, confirmed Mainul Islam, a returning officer.

Salam was a former deputy mayor of the undivided Dhaka city corporation.

Talking to reporters, Monirul Islam said Salam collected the nomination paper as BNP is yet to announce any formal decision about joining or boycotting the polls. ‘The nomination will be pulled out if the party decides to quit the election race,’ he added.

The last date for the submission of nomination paper is 29 March as elections to three city corporations of Dhaka and Chittagong will be held on 28 April.