Husband chairman candidate, rival two wives

News Desk: Half an hour after receiving the boat symbol in Bhangura, Pabna, two wives submitted their nomination papers as independent candidates. Dulal Master submitted his nomination papers for the post of chairman of Khanmarich Union of the upazila on Thursday (November 25), the last day for submission of nominations.

Shortly afterwards, Dulal Master's first wife Ferdousi Begum and second wife Nasima Khatun submitted their nomination papers to the Returning Officer separately. Locals said Nuru-un-Nabi Mandal Dulal, president of the Union Juba League, was the headmaster of a local primary school. According to his age, he has a job for another 12 years. He retired voluntarily six months ago just to be elected chairman. After announcing the schedule, he and his two wives collected nomination papers. He tried to get the nomination of Awami League. Finally, last Sunday (November 21) he got the boat symbol as the nominated candidate of Awami League. On Thursday (November 26), he along with party leaders and activists submitted nomination papers to the Upazila Election Office. Half an hour later, the two wives submitted their nomination papers at the same time.

Locals also said that Awami League candidate Nuru-un-Nabi Mandal is popular in the area. He quit his job and became the chairman candidate. However, he is skeptical about party nominations and paperwork. So he and his two wives collected nomination papers. If he fails to do so, he will have to choose one of his wives as an alternative. However, the nomination of both the wives has raised questions in the minds of the people. Nuru-un-Nabi Mandal alias Dulal Master, a candidate for the boat symbol, said he had collected nomination papers along with his two wives for some special reasons. Someone's nomination paper may be canceled for any reason. In that case, he has taken alternative measures so that one of the family members can choose.

Pabna District Senior Election Officer Mahbubur Rahman said Thursday (November 25) was the last day to submit nomination papers for the four Union Parishad elections in Pabna's Bhangura Upazila. 16 candidates have filed nomination papers for the post of chairman. Besides, 43 candidates have filed nomination papers for reserved women's seats and 133 for general members. Note that the nomination papers will be selected on November 29. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 6 December. Voting will be held on December 23.