Narayanganj: Nine mayoral aspirants, including Awami League’s Selina Hayat Ivy and Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s Sakhawat Hossain Khan, have submitted their nomination papers to run the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls billed for December 22.

Besides, a total of 213 counicllor hopefuls have submitted nominations to the returning officer within the deadline that expired on Thursday.

Of them, nine aspirants will vie for the mayoral post while 175 for 27 general councillor posts and 38 women councillor aspirants for nine reserved seats in the NCC election.

The nomination papers will be scrutinised on Saturday and Sunday while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 4.

Both Awami League mayoral aspirant Dr Salina Hayat Ivy and BNP’s Advocate Sakhawat Hossain submitted their respective nomination papers to returning officer Nuruzzaman Talukder on Thursday. 

Sakhawat along with BNP city unit leaders went to the district election office around 12 noon and submitted his nomination paper. 

Talking to reporters after submitting the nomination paper, Sakhawat demanded army deployment during the voting, saying it is essential to ensure a ‘level-playing field’.

He also urged the district administration to withdraw its ‘corrupt officials’ ahead of the election.

On the other hand, Ivy said there is no need for army deployment as the upcoming NCC polls will be held in a free and fair manner. 

Ivy came up with the remark while talking to reporters after submitting her nomination paper around 11:15 am. 

She urged all to maintain a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the election. 

Ivy was accompanied, among others, by AL district unit president Abdul Hye and former MP Abdullah Al Kawsar. 

In the NCC polls, a total of 479,392 voters -- 241,514 men and 237,878 women -- are expected to exercise their franchise to elect a city mayor, 27 ward councillors and nine women councillors from reserved seats.