Dhaka: The new Election Commission, led by KM Nurul Huda, faces a crucial test as Comilla City Corporation goes to its second election on Thursday with the mayoral candidates of both Awami League and BNP being in the race.

The balloting in 103 polling stations across the city begins at 8:00am and it will continue till 4:00pm without any break with under an unprecedented security blanket. Some 5,000 law enforcers will guard the election areas.

A neck-to-neck fight is expected to be held between AL mayoral candidate Anjuman Sultana Sima and BNP mayoral rival and immediate past mayor Monirul Haque Sakku.

Two other mayoral candidates –- Md Mamunur Rashid with ‘Table Clock’ symbol (independent) and Shirin Akter with ‘Star’ symbol (JSD)— are there in the race as the election to the mayoral post is being held along the political party line unlikely the ones of councillor’s and reserved seats.

A total of 114 candidates are there in the race for 27 general councillor posts, while 41 women are contesting the election for nine reserved seats. 

The maiden election to Comilla City Corporation was held in a non-partisan manner on January 5, 2012 when BNP-backed Monirul Haque Sakku was elected the first city mayor defeating Awami League-supported mayoral candidate Sima’s father Afzal Khan with a big margin. Sakku polled 65,577 votes while his rival Afzal bagged 36,471 votes in the 2012 election.

In the second election, a total of 207,566 voters -- 102,447 males and 105,119 females -- are expected to exercise their voting rights to elect their city mayor, 27 general councillors and nine women councillors (from reserve seats).

A total of 4,722 members of law enforcement agencies, including Police, Rab and BGB, will maintain the law and order situation in the election area.

A 24-member security team will protect each polling centre, while 27 executive magistrates and nine judicial magistrates will conduct mobile courts to check election code violations and vote fraud.

Returning officer Rakibuddin Mondal said they have already completed all the necessary preparations to hold the election.

Superintendent of Police of Comilla Shah Abid Hossain said some 2,232 police members are on the election duty. They will do whatever necessary to arrange a peaceful election. Any kind of chaos will be curbed with an iron hand.

The Comilla city election is the first major election under the new Election Commission, reconstituted early February last. Earlier, it conducted only by-polls to Gaibandha-1 constituency and election to some local bodies.

Meanwhile, the by-election to Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) constituency that fell vacant following the death of Awami League MP Suranjit Sengupta will also be held on Thursday.

AL candidate Dr Joya Sengupta, wife of Suranjit, and independent candidate Sayeed Ali Mahbub Hossain Rezu are contesting the by-election.

In the by-polls, a total of 252,430 voters -- 126,228 men and 126,202 women –- will to exercise their franchise in 110 polling stations.

The constituency comprised of Dirai municipality and 13 Union Parishads --nine unions of Dirai Upazila and four unions of Shalla upazila.