The voting in the first phase elections to 24 municipalities has begun on Monday morning.
Because of the Covid-19 situation, the election will be held in four phases.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are being used in the elections which started at 8:00am and will continue till 4:00pm without any break.
According to EC, a total of 6.25 lakh voters are expected to cast their votes at those 24 municipalities in 22 districts, according to the EC.
A total of 93 mayor aspirants are contesting for the 24 posts, while 801 councillor candidates for 216 posts and 266 candidates for 72 women's reserve seats, as per the EC.
As usual, the main battle is expected to be between the candidates of Awami League and BNP. However candidates of Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party are also eyeing for the posts of mayor in the municipal areas.
The 24 municipalities are: Panchagarh of Panchagarh, Pirganj of Thakurgaon, Phulbari of Dinajpur, Badarganj of Rangpur, Kurigram of Kurigram, Puthia and Katakhali of Rajshahi, Shahjadpur of Sirajganj, Chatmohor of Pabna, Kokhsha of Kushtia, Chuadanga of Chuadanga, Chalna of Khulna, Betagi of Barguna, Kuakata of Patuakhali, Ujirpur and Bakerganj of Barishal, Gafargoan of Mymensingh, Madan of Netrakona, Dhamrai of Dhaka, Dirai of Sunanganj, Borolekha of Moulvibazar, Sayestaganj of Habiganj, and Sitakunda of Chhattogram.
Executive and judicial magistrates along with the members of different law enforcement agencies, including BGB, RAB, police and Ansar, are monitoring the elections.
The second phase elections to 61 municipalities will be held on Jan 16. EVM will be used in 29 municipalities while ballot voting will be held in the remaining 32 municipalities.
According to the latest schedule, the third phase elections will be held on Jan 30 in 64 municipalities. Municipalities, which will be eligible for polls by February, will witness a fourth round of voting.
