Candidates of the Comilla City Corporation elections are busy with their last moment campaigning while the poll authorities have almost finished their preparations.
No contestants will be allowed to carry out their election campaigns after the clock strikes midnight today.
While the heat of the election is at its peak, two main rivals -- ruling Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Afzal Khan and Sammilito Nagorik Committee-backed candidate Monirul Haque Sakku -- have brought allegations against each other of using black money to influence voters.
Rebel AL candidate Noor-ur-Rahman Tanim raised questions about the roles of a few government officials. He, however, did not name anyone.
Meanwhile, central AL leaders led by former minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday conducted a huge campaign for Afzal Khan.
Local BNP leaders including popular singer Asif Akbar yesterday conducted campaigns for Sakku while rebel Awmai League candidate Noor Tanim visited door to door to woo voters.
Kazi Zafar Ahmed, former prime minister and Jatiya Party leader, also sought votes for his party backed candidate Air Ahmed Selim.
All the candidates along with their party leaders attended a number of meetings at different points of the city yesterday. They all pledged to make the city free from drugs and resolve the water-logging problem if they are elected.
The Comilla City Corporation election will be held on Thursday using electronic voting machines in all the 65 centres. Nine mayoral aspirants and 287 councillor candidates are contesting the polls.
A total of 1,69,273 voters, including 86,074 females, will exercise their mandate to elect a mayor and 36 ward councillors. Nine of the councillor posts are reserved for women.
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda during his recent visit to Comilla pledged that the commission will hold a "model" poll by all means.
Returning Officer Abdul Baten yesterday said they have completed their poll preparations.
Election and local administration officials said they would take extra cautionary measures for the vulnerable poll centres. The Election Commission has identified 47 risky centres considering the past and the criminal records of many candidates.
Additional law enforcers will be deployed in these areas to ensure peaceful voting.