Bobby Hajjaj withdraws from DNCC polls race

Nationalist Democratic Movement’s (NDM) Chairman, Bobby Hajjaj, on Saturday withdrew his mayoral candidature for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) by-polls slated for February 28.

Regarding his withdrawal Bobby said: “The party held a central committee meeting on Thursday where its members decided that due to lack of preparations, it would not be wise for the party chairman to participate in the polls.

“Since we do not have any more candidates left, I was forced to withdraw my candidacy,” he added.

Now, five candidates remain to vie for the DNCC mayoral post after it fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017.

They are former BGMEA president and Awami League nominated candidate Atiqul Islam, Jatiya Party’s (JaPa) candidate Shafin Ahmed, National People's Party’s (NPP) Anisur Rahman Dewan, People's Democratic Party’s (PDP) Shahin Khan, and independent candidate Abdur Rahim.

A total of 68 candidates also withdrew their nominations for the DNCC and DSCC ward councillor posts.

The election for councillor posts in 36 new wards—18 in DNCC and 18 in Dhaka South City Corporation—will be held on the same day.

The only remaining candidate in DNCC’s ward 9, Mujib Sarwar, is set to be elected without competition as his only opposition withdrew from the race.