2021 Chattogram City Corporation election
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27 January 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Registered | 19,38,706 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 22.52% ( 25.38 pp) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27 January 202155 seats in the Chattogram City Corporation[a]28 February 2021 (Re-election in 1 seat) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Bangladesh portal |
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The 2021 Chattogram City Corporation election was a local government election in the city of Chattogram, Bangladesh, held on 27 January 2021 to elect the Mayor of Chittagong and the Chittagong City Council.[1][2][3] This election was marred by violence and it was not seen as a free, fair and credible election. Later in 2024, after ruling Awami League regime fell, vote rigging by Awami League was confirmed in this election.
Background
The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) is the governing body responsible for the administration of Chattogram, the second-largest city in Bangladesh.[4] The term of the previous mayor, A. J. M. Nasir Uddin, elected in 2015, ended in 2020.[5] The election was originally scheduled to take place in March 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Campaign
The 2021 Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) election featured major political parties focusing on urban governance, port-city infrastructure, and long-standing civic problems. Key themes included waterlogging, traffic congestion, corruption allegations, waste management, and improvement of basic municipal services.
Awami League
The ruling Bangladesh Awami League nominated Rezaul Karim Chowdhury as its mayoral candidate. His campaign highlighted commitments to resolving the chronic waterlogging problem through canal restoration projects, expansion of drainage networks, and coordination with the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA). Rezaul also pledged improved road repairs, digitalization of civic services, efficient waste collection, and strong measures to curb corruption in municipal contracting.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party nominated Dr. Shahadat Hossain as its mayoral candidate. Shahadat’s campaign emphasized mismanagement, irregularities, and corruption allegations within the previous CCC administration. He promised transparent city governance, modern waste-management systems, proper maintenance of roads and footpaths, and solutions to traffic congestion and disorderly urban growth. His manifesto also focused on public health, dengue prevention, clean water supply, and restoring public trust in municipal operations.
Other issues
Residents across Chattogram raised a number of recurring concerns, including:
- severe waterlogging during monsoon due to clogged drains and encroached canals
- chronic traffic congestion in key commercial corridors
- irregular waste collection and lack of modern disposal facilities
- damaged roads, footpaths, and poor street lighting in many wards
- environmental degradation, hill-cutting, and loss of open spaces
- lack of coordination between CCC, CDA, and WDB, causing delays in major projects
Election environment
Voting was held using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in all centers. National observers noted a generally peaceful environment, although turnout remained modest. Public concerns over service delivery, transparency, and infrastructure sustainability heavily shaped the overall campaign narrative.
Candidates
The election was mainly contested between candidates of the two major political parties in Bangladesh:
| Party | Flag | Symbol | Candidates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Awami League |  |  | Rezaul Karim Chowdhury | |
| Bangladesh Nationalist Party |  |  | Dr. Shahadat Hossain | |
Other minor candidates from smaller parties and independent candidates also participated.
| Ward | Awami League | BNP | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Party | Candidate | Party | Candidate | ||
| 1 | South Pahartali | AL | Gazi Md. Shafiul Azim | BNP | Sirajul Islam Rashed | ||
| 2 | Jalalabad | AL | Mohammad Ibrahim | BNP | Md. Yakub Chowdhury | ||
| 3 | Panchlaish | AL | Kofil Uddin Khan | BNP | Mohammad Elias | ||
| 4 | Chandgaon | AL | Md. Saifuddin Khaled | BNP | Mahabubul Alam | ||
| 5 | Mohra | AL | Mohammad Kazi Nurul Amin | BNP | Mohammad Azam | ||
| 6 | East Sholashahar | AL | M Ashraful Alam | BNP | Hasan Liton | ||
| 7 | West Sholashahar | AL | Md. Mobarak Ali | BNP | Iskandar Mirza | ||
| 8 | Sholokbahar | AL | Md. Morshed Alam | BNP | Hasan Chowdhury | ||
| 9 | North Pahartali | AL | Nurul Absar Mia | BNP | Abdus Sattar Salim | ||
| 10 | North Kattali | AL | Nishar Uddin Ahmed | BNP | Rafiq Uddin Chowdhury | ||
| 11 | South Kattali | AL | Mohammad Ismail | BNP | Sohrab Hossain Chowdhury | ||
| 12 | Saraipara | AL | Md. Nurul Amin | BNP | Shamsul Alam | ||
| 13 | Pahartali | AL | Md. Wasim Uddin Chowdhury | BNP | Jahangir Alam Dulal | ||
| 14 | Lalkhan Bazar | AL | Abul Hasnat Md. Belal | BNP | Abdul Halim | ||
| 15 | Bagmaniram | AL | Mohammad Gias Uddin | BNP | Chowdhury Saifuddin Rashed Siddiqui | ||
| 16 | Chawkbazar | AL | Syed Golam Haider Mintu | BNP | AKM Salahuddin Kausar Labu | ||
| 17 | West Bakalia | AL | Mohammad Shahidul Alam | BNP | AKM Ariful Islam | ||
| 18 | East Bakalia | AL | Mohammad Harun or Rashid | BNP | Mohammad Mohiuddin | ||
| 19 | South Bakalia | AL | Md. Nurul Alam | BNP | Yasin Chowdhury | ||
| 20 | Dewan Bazar | AL | Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Hasni | BNP | Hafizul Islam Majumdar Milon | ||
| 21 | Jamal khan | AL | Shaibal Das Sumon | BNP | Abu Md. Mohsin Chowdhury | ||
| 22 | Enayet Bazar | AL | Mohammad Salim Ullah | BNP | M.A. Malek | ||
| 23 | North Pathantooly | AL | Mohammad Javed | BNP | Mohammad Mohsin | ||
| 24 | North Agrabad | AL | Nazmul Haque Duke | BNP | SM Faridul Alam | ||
| 25 | Rampur | AL | Abdus Sabur Liton | BNP | Shahid Md. Chowdhury | ||
| 26 | North Halishahar | AL | Mohammad Hossain | BNP | Md. Abul Hashem | ||
| 27 | South Agrabad | AL | Md. Sheikh Zafrul Haider Chowdhury | BNP | Mohammad Sekandar | ||
| 28 | Pathantooly | AL | Nazrul Islam Bahadur | BNP | SM Jamal Uddin Jasim | ||
| 29 | West Madarbari | AL | Golam Mohammad Zobair | BNP | Md. Salah Uddin | ||
| 30 | East Madarbari | AL | Ataullah Chowdhury | BNP | Habibur Rahman | ||
| 31 | Alkaran | AL | Md. Abdus Salam | BNP | Didarur Rahman Labu | ||
| 32 | Andarkilla | AL | Jahar Lal Hazari | BNP | Syed Abul Basar | ||
| 33 | Firingee Bazar | AL | Mohammad Salahuddin | BNP | Aktar Khan | ||
| 34 | Patharghata | AL | Pulak Khastagir | BNP | Ismail Bali | ||
| 35 | Boxirhat | AL | Haji Nurul Haque | BNP | Advocate Tariq Ahmad | ||
| 36 | Gosaildanga | AL | Jahangir Alam Chowdhury | BNP | Mohammad Harun (Doc) | ||
| 37 | North Middle Halishahar | AL | Md. Hossain Murad | BNP | Mohammad Osman | ||
| 38 | South Middle Halishahar | AL | Golam Md. Chowdhury | BNP | Hanif Saudagar | ||
| 39 | South Halishahar | AL | Ziaul Haque Sumon | BNP | Sarfraz Quader | ||
| 40 | North Patenga | AL | Abdul Barek | BNP | Mohammad Harun | ||
| 41 | South Patenga | AL | Saleh Ahmad Chowdhury | BNP | Md. Nurul Afshar | ||
| Reserved Women's Councillor | |||||||
| 42 | Reserved women's seat-1 | AL | Syeda Kashpia Nahrin, | BNP | Roksana Begum | ||
| 43 | Reserved women's seat-2 | AL | Zobaira Nargis Khan | BNP | Shahenewaz Chowdhury Minu | ||
| 44 | Reserved women's seat-3 | AL | Zohra Begum | BNP | Jinnatun Nesha Jinu | ||
| 45 | Reserved women's seat-4 | AL | Tashlima Begum Nurjahan | BNP | Sakina Begum | ||
| 46 | Reserved women's seat-5 | AL | Shiuli Dey | BNP | Monoara Begum Moni | ||
| 47 | Reserved women's seat-6 | AL | Shaheen Akhtar Rozi | BNP | Mahmuda Sultana Jharna | ||
| 48 | Reserved women's seat-7 | AL | Rumki Sengupta | BNP | Advocate Parveen Akhter Chowdhury | ||
| 49 | Reserved women's seat-8 | AL | Neelu Nag | BNP | Arjun Nahar Manna | ||
| 50 | Reserved women's seat-9 | AL | Noor Akhtar Prama | BNP | Khaleda Borhan | ||
| 51 | Reserved women's seat-10 | AL | Hoore Ara Begum | BNP | Jasmina Khanom | ||
| 52 | Reserved women's seat-11 | AL | Jinnat Ara Begum | BNP | Kamrun Nahar Liza | ||
| 53 | Reserved women's seat-12 | AL | Afroza Zahoor | BNP | Sahida Khanom | ||
| 54 | Reserved women's seat-13 | AL | Lutfunnesa Dobash Baby | BNP | Monoara Begum | ||
| 55 | Reserved women's seat-14 | AL | Shahanur Begum | BNP | Zahida Hossain | ||
Timeline
| Poll Event | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Official declaration from the Election Commission | 14 December 2020 |
| Declaration of the schedule | 14 December 2020 |
| Application deadline for candidates | 30 December 2020 |
| Scrutiny of nomination | 2 January 2021 |
| Last date for withdrawal of nomination | 7 January 2021 |
| Symbol allocation | 8 January 2021 |
| Start of campaign period | 8 January 2021 |
| End of campaign period | 25 January 2021 |
| Date of poll | 27 January 2021 |
| Date of counting of votes | 27 January 2021 |
Electoral system
The election was conducted using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in all 735 polling stations in the city.[7] Around 1.92 million voters were registered to cast their vote.[8] This was one of the first large-scale uses of EVMs in local elections in Bangladesh, a move that was both praised and criticized by various political parties.[9]
The corporation area is divided into 41 wards. The corporation elects:
- Mayor, directly elected by the voters of Chattogram.
- 41 Ward Councillors, one from each ward, elected directly.
- 14 Reserved Women Councillors, elected from groups of three wards.
Mayoral election results
The results were announced later in the evening on 27 January 2021.[10] Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, the Awami League candidate, won the mayoral race by a wide margin, receiving approximately 369,248 votes,[11] while Shahadat Hossain of the BNP garnered 52,489 votes.[12]
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury succeeded A. J. M. Nasir Uddin as mayor of Chattogram.[13] The Awami League also secured the majority of the councilor positions in the 41 wards of the Chattogram City Corporation.[14]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rezaul Karim Chowdhury | Bangladesh Awami League | 369,248 | 84.79 | |
| Dr. Shahadat Hossain | Bangladesh Nationalist Party | 52,489 | 12.05 | |
| Md. Jannatul Islam | Islami Andolan Bangladesh | 4,980 | 1.14 | |
| Abul Manzoor | National People's Party | 4,653 | 1.07 | |
| M A Matin | Bangladesh Islami Front | 2,126 | 0.49 | |
| Muhammad Waheed Murad | Islamic Front Bangladesh | 1,109 | 0.25 | |
| Khokon Chowdhury | Independent | 885 | 0.20 | |
| Total | 435,490 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 435,490 | 99.76 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 1,053 | 0.24 | ||
| Total votes | 436,543 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,938,706 | 22.52 | ||
| Source: [1] | ||||
Council election results
Party-wise
 | ||||||
| Party | Leader | Councilor contested seats | Councilor elected in Seats | Ward Councilors | Reserved Women Councilors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Awami League | Rezaul Karim Chowdhury | 55 | 42 / 55 | 33 | 9 | |
| Independent | unknown | 13 / 55 | 8 | 5 | ||
| Total | 55 | 41 | 14 | |||
Violence
The election day was marked by reports of violence in multiple wards across the city. Several clashes were reported between supporters of the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP.[15] In one such incident, a polling agent of a BNP-backed councilor candidate was killed, prompting further criticism of the law enforcement agencies and the fairness of the electoral process.[16]
According to local media reports, around 20 people were injured in election-related violence,[17] and allegations of vote rigging and irregularities were rampant.[18] Despite these issues, the Election Commission of Bangladesh declared the election successful and largely peaceful.[19]
Aftermath and Reactions
After the Chattogram City Corporation Election of 2021, reactions were deeply divided. The ruling party, the Awami League (AL), celebrated the victory of their candidate, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.[20] They claimed that the election had been conducted fairly and that the result represented the will of the people of Chattogram. Rezaul Karim, in his post-election statements, promised to continue the development projects started by the previous mayor, A. J. M. Nasir Uddin.[21]
On the other hand, the opposition, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), rejected the election results outright. They accused the Awami League of voter suppression, vote rigging, and using law enforcement to intimidate opposition supporters.[22] Shahadat Hossain, the BNP candidate, demanded an investigation into the alleged irregularities and called for the election results to be annulled.[23] The BNP also organized protests, claiming that the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) had made it easier to manipulate the results in favor of the ruling party.[24] Shahadat Hossain's call for investigation was rejected and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury was sworn in as the 6th Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation on 11 February 2021.[25] Rezaul Karim couldn't fulfill his term as Sheikh Hasina's regime fell in 2024 amid mass protests.[26] On 19 August, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, along with the mayors of other city corporations, was removed from his position and replaced by the Divisional Commissioners.[27]
Notes
- ^Of the total 54 seats, one was won uncontested.
References
- ^"Chattogram City Polls Jan 27". New Age. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^"Rezaul Karim Elected Chittagong City Mayor". Dhaka Tribune. 28 January 2021.
- ^"Rezaul Karim Chowdhury wins CCC Mayoral polls". Dhaka Tribune. 28 January 2021.
- ^"Chattogram City Corporation: Overview". Chattogram City Corporation. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^"A. J. M. Nasir Uddin's Tenure Comes to an End". The Daily Star. 31 December 2020.
- ^"Chattogram City Election Postponed Amid COVID-19 Fears". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^"Chattogram City Corporation Election: EVMs Used in All Polling Stations". bdnews24. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^"1.92 Million Registered Voters for Chattogram City Corporation Election". The Daily Star. 27 January 2021.
- ^"First Large-Scale Use of EVMs in Bangladesh Local Elections". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^"Chattogram City Corporation Election Results Announced". The Daily Star. 27 January 2021.
- ^"Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Wins Chattogram Mayor Election". The Dhaka Tribune. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^"Shahadat Hossain Receives 52,489 Votes in Chattogram Election". BDNews24. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^"Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Succeeds Nasir Uddin as Chattogram Mayor". New Age. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^"Awami League Wins Majority of Councilor Positions in Chattogram". The Financial Express. 27 January 2021.
- ^"Violence Erupts During Chattogram City Corporation Election". The Daily Star. 27 January 2021.
- ^"BNP Polling Agent Killed in Election Violence". Dhaka Tribune. 27 January 2021.
- ^"20 Injured in Chattogram City Election Violence". BDNews24. 27 January 2021.
- ^"Allegations of Vote Rigging in Chattogram City Election". The Financial Express. 27 January 2021.
- ^"Election Commission Declares Chattogram City Election Successful". The Daily Star. 27 January 2021.
- ^"Awami League Celebrates Rezaul Karim Chowdhury's Victory". The Daily Star. 1 February 2021.
- ^"Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Promises Continuation of Development Projects". Dhaka Tribune. 1 February 2021.
- ^"BNP Rejects Chattogram Election Results, Accuses Awami League of Irregularities". The Financial Express. 28 January 2021.
- ^"BNP Demands Investigation Into Election Irregularities". The Daily Star. 28 January 2021.
- ^"BNP Protests Against EVMs and Election Results". Dhaka Tribune. 29 January 2021.
- ^"Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Sworn In as Mayor". The Daily Star. 11 February 2021.
- ^"Sheikh Hasina's Regime Falls Amid Mass Protests". The Financial Express. 20 August 2024.
- ^"Bangladesh appoints administrators to lead 12 city corporations". BDNews24(Not reliable and ad of women). 19 August 2024.
