In a closely contested electoral battle that kept the citizenry on the edge of their seats, Arfanul Haque Rifat, the candidate backed by the Awami League (AL), has emerged victorious in the Cumilla City Corporation (CuCC) election. Following a day of intense polling and high stakes, Rifat was unofficially declared the mayor-elect, marking a significant shift in the local political landscape of this historic city.

The provisional results were formally announced by the Returning Officer, Shahedunnabi Chowdhury, from a temporary stage established at the Shilpakala Academy in Cumilla late tonight. The atmosphere was electric as the tallies from various polling centres across the city were aggregated, eventually confirming Rifat’s narrow triumph over his most formidable rival.

Arfanul Haque Rifat, contesting under the iconic ‘Boat’ symbol—the traditional emblem of the ruling Awami League—secured a total of 50,310 votes. His victory was achieved by the narrowest of margins, as the incumbent and former mayor, Monirul Haque Sakku, who ran as an independent candidate with the ‘Table Clock’ symbol, amassed 49,967 votes. This razor-thin difference of a mere 343 votes underscores the highly competitive nature of this year’s mayoral race and the divided sentiments of the electorate.

Beyond the primary duel between Rifat and Sakku, several other candidates vied for the mayoralty, though they finished significantly behind the leaders. Nizam Uddin Kaiser, an independent candidate who adopted the ‘Horse’ symbol, performed creditably by securing 29,099 votes. Meanwhile, the candidate from Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Rashedul Islam, obtained 3,040 votes with the ‘Hat Pakha’ (hand fan) symbol, and independent candidate Kamrul Ahsan Babul garnered 2,329 votes under the ‘Deer’ symbol.

The electoral process itself was notable for the comprehensive use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), representing a technological transition intended to ensure transparency and efficiency. Polling commenced promptly at 8:00 am and continued without interruption until 4:00 pm. Despite the tensions inherent in such a high-profile contest, the voting period was largely characterised by an orderly turnout of constituents eager to exercise their democratic rights.

The following table provides a comprehensive breakdown of the unofficial results for the mayoral candidates:

With this victory, Arfanul Haque Rifat is set to take the helm of the Cumilla City Corporation, inheriting the responsibility of addressing the city’s developmental needs and the aspirations of its diverse population. As the unofficial results transition into formal certification, the focus will now shift to the transition of power and the new mayor’s vision for the city’s future.