After much speculation finally Aushkandi union parishad polls in Habiganj was held on Sunday with spontaneous participation of voters.
Awami League-backed candidate Delwar Hossain won the election for Chairman post with huge difference of 6,800 votes. Meanwhile, 3,300 votes were cast for the closest contender, independent candidate Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury.
Some 20,000 people were eligible to cast their ballots in the UP polls this year.
Until Wednesday, Aushkandi locals were in a dilemma whether the polls will be held on time over a legal dispute on the inclusion of Dwigor Brahman village in the union.
A writ petition was filed in the High Court (HC) in this regard followed by an application sent to the secretary of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Ministry, seeking inclusion of the village under Khalilpur union of Moulvibazar district by some residents.
On February 28, the HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned as to why the inclusion of Dwigor Brahman village under Aushkandi union should not be declared illegal.
Seven people, including the secretary of LGRD Ministry, deputy commissioners of Habiganj and Moulvibazar district, were made respondents to the rule which was returnable in four weeks.
In the meantime, the Election Commission announced the schedule of the UP election.
On November 1, the current chairman of Aushkandi union filed a writ petition in the HC, seeking a stay order on the election under the union.
The HC later asked the authorities concerned to take a final decision on demarcating the boundary of the union within 15 days.
On November 23, the HC passed a stay order on the Aushkandi union parishad election.
However, on November 24, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court cleared the way for holding the election, after imposing a stay on the HC order.
Delwar Hossain, an AL-backed chairman candidate, said, “A vested quarter is involved in playing a foul game over the election. The residents of Dwigor Brahman village have been casting their ballots under Aushkandi union since the Independence of the country.”
Source: United News of Bangladesh