Polls to five city corporations in time: Minister

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said on Wednesday the elections to five city corporations will be held in time if there is no obstacle or cases, reports UNB.
The minister came up with the information while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.
"There is a legal obligation for the Election Commission to complete polls to any city corporation within 180 days before the expiry of the tenure. So, we have legal obligation for holding the elections," said the minister.
The minister also said that letters were sent to respective divisional commissioners asking whether the city corporations have any cases or barriers for holding election in time.
"After getting report from them, we will ask the Election Commission to arrange election at their convenient time," he said.
Responding to a question, the minister said that they will get the report from the divisional commissioners within 7/8 days. "If there is no barrier, election will be held on time."
According to the ministry data, the tenure of Khulna City Corporation will end on September 25, Rajshahi City Corporation on October 5, Barishal City Corporation on October 23, Syhlet City Corporation on October 8 and Gazipur City Corporation on September 4.
While answering a question on the demand for nationalisation of municipality employees' jobs, the minister said it is not possible to nationalise the local government body.
"If they face problems, we can give them donation. We are working on this. I will talk to the finance minister on this issue so that we can help them," said the minister.