The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A total of 7232 candidates are going to contest elections in some 481 upazilas across the country for the posts of chairman, vice-chairman and female vice-chairman, according to a list finalized by the Election Commission after the withdrawal of candidatures.

Earlier on December 31, the last day for withdrawal of candidatures, some 1339 candidates withdrew their names from the election race billed for January 22, EC sources said.

Among the candidates, some 3318 would contest the local-body polls for the post of chairman, 2875 for vice chairman and 1039 for female vice-chairman.

On Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda at a press briefing said the upazila elections would be held as per the schedule on January 22.

Declaring 2009 as the year of elections, the CEC said the Commission would remain busy throughout the year arranging upazilas, municipality and city corporation elections.ss