Protesters lock Nagar Bhaban gates demanding swearing in of Ishraque Hossain as Dhaka South mayor
Most participants in the protest appeared to be BNP activists and supporters of its affiliated organisations
Several hundred protesters under the banner of "Amra Dhakabashi" locked all gates of the Nagar Bhaban this morning (15 May), demanding that BNP leader Ishraque Hossain be sworn in as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.
As a result, no Dhaka South or Local Government Ministry staff stationed at Nagar Bhaban were able to enter the building.
Citizens visiting for services also suffered due to the obstruction.
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The demonstrators began their protest in front of the Nagar Bhaban yesterday (14 May) and announced a continuous programme from today if their demand was not met.
"We have been roaming outside since morning because we couldn't enter the building," a Dhaka South official told The Business Standard.
"The protesters locked the main gate even before we arrived. Although that lock was later removed, they padlocked entrances to various departments inside, forcing us to stay outside."
Despite a court verdict and an official gazette issued by the Election Commission, Ishraque Hossain has not yet been sworn in as the DSCC mayor.
Today (15 May) marked the second consecutive day of protest in front of Nagar Bhaban.
The demonstrators warned that if the government continues to delay administering the oath, the people will do it themselves.
"If Ishraque is not sworn in soon, we - the citizens - will take the initiative to administer the oath and hand over mayoral responsibilities to him," said one protester.
Most participants in the protest appeared to be BNP activists and supporters of its affiliated organisations.
Due to the demonstration in front of Nagar Bhaban, the adjacent road has been blocked, causing traffic congestion and significant suffering for commuters.
On 27 April, the Election Commission announced BNP's Ishraque Hossain as the new mayor of DSCC after receiving a legal opinion from the Ministry of Law and subsequently publishing a gazette.
Earlier, on 27 March, Judge Md Nurul Islam of Dhaka's First Joint District Judge and Electoral Tribunal nullified the 2020 DSCC election results that declared Awami League's Fazle Noor Taposh as the mayor, and instead declared Ishraque Hossain the rightful mayor.
The Dhaka South and Dhaka North elections were held on 1 February 2020.
Awami League candidates Atiqul Islam and Fazle Noor Taposh were elected mayors of Dhaka North and South, respectively.
On 3 March 2020, Ishraque filed a case challenging the results, citing vote rigging and irregularities.
