The 2020 mayoral election of Dhaka North City Corporation was held on 1 February 2020. A total of 6 candidates participated in the election. The result was a victory for the Awami League candidate Atiqul Islam. However, the results were rejected by the main opposition candidate, Tabith Awal of Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
It was the first major election in Bangladesh conducted entirely using electronic voting machines (EVMs) alongside the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation election. Previously the country had made only limited use of EVMs. The ruling Awami League supported the adoption of EVMs. BNP and Communist Party of Bangladesh leaders said they feared the machines would be used for vote rigging. One concern expressed was that the machines do not have a voter-verified paper audit trail.
Unemployment was a key issue in the 2020 Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) election, reflecting the national trend of rising youth unemployment in Bangladesh. Despite Dhaka being the commercial hub of the country, many young residents of Dhaka North remained unemployed or underemployed, prompting candidates to highlight job creation, skill development, and urban economic reforms in their manifestos.
Several civic groups pointed out that rapid urbanisation in Dhaka NorthâÂÂespecially in areas like Uttara, Mirpur, Gulshan, Banani, and MohakhaliâÂÂhad not been matched with proportionate employment opportunities, causing frustration among young voters. Major mayoral candidates pledged initiatives such as expanding startup incubation centres, introducing ward-level vocational training, and increasing digital job platforms under the city corporationâÂÂs services.
Corruption in urban services, especially in building permits, waste management, traffic enforcement, and contract awarding, was one of the most discussed issues in the DNCC election. Opposition candidates accused the ruling party-backed administration of allowing irregularities in road construction, drainage projects, and market leasing.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) had previously criticised Dhaka city governance for irregular financial practices in project implementation, which became a recurring talking point during televised debates and public rallies. Candidates promised stricter monitoring, increased digitalisation of services, and anti-corruption task forces within the city corporation.
Traffic congestion remained one of the biggest concerns in Dhaka North. Areas surrounding Airport Road, Kawran Bazar, Mohakhali, Gulshan-Banani, Rampura, and Mirpur Road faced chronic gridlock. Many candidates criticised poor coordination between the DNCC, Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), and police.
Key proposals included: ⢠Expanding dedicated bus lanes ⢠Introducing smart traffic light systems ⢠Increasing shuttle transport for school students ⢠Restricting roadside parking ⢠Strengthening enforcement against illegal buses and rickshaws
Public pressure to improve the overall traffic ecosystem significantly shaped the campaign narrative.
Following the 2019 dengue outbreak, mosquito control became one of the defining issues of the 2020 DNCC election. Many residents blamed the previous administration for inefficiency and delayed action against Aedes breeding. Candidates focused heavily on promises to: ⢠modernise mosquito-control equipment ⢠ensure timely larvicide spraying ⢠expand community-based cleaning drives ⢠use digital mapping for mosquito hotspots
Similarly, chronic problems in waste managementâÂÂespecially in Mirpur, Kafrul, Bhashantek, and new urban areasâÂÂwere highlighted, with pledges for improved doorstep collection and expanded landfill capacity.
Waterlogging during monsoon seasons remained a major civic grievance across Mirpur, Uttara Sector-4, Kalyanpur, Mohakhali DOHS surroundings, and Bashundhara. Candidates accused previous city administrations and WASA of poor drainage coordination.
Commitments included: ⢠dredging canals ⢠expanding stormwater drainage networks ⢠enforcing building codes against illegal canal encroachment
Waterlogging was one of the most discussed issues in televised mayoral debates.
The ruling Awami League nominated Atiqul Islam, the incumbent mayor who won the 2019 by-election, to contest the 2020 DNCC polls. His campaign promoted: ⢠continuation of infrastructure projects ⢠expansion of digital city services (e-governance) ⢠strong mosquito control programmes ⢠initiatives for waste-to-energy plants ⢠women-friendly public spaces
High-profile ministers and MPs campaigned across Dhaka North, especially in Uttara, Gulshan, Mirpur, and Kafrul. The Awami League emphasised stability, ongoing development projects, and disaster preparedness following the dengue crisis.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominated Tabith Awal for mayor. The BNP campaign focused heavily on corruption allegations against the incumbent administration. Tabith Awal pledged: ⢠anti-corruption audits of all DNCC projects ⢠modern traffic solutions ⢠community-based dengue prevention ⢠improved drainage systems
BNPâÂÂs digital campaign was comparatively strong, with heavy usage of Facebook and grassroots volunteers. However, internal organisational challenges and frequent police restrictions on rallies were highlighted by BNP as obstacles to a level playing field.
The Jatiya Party fielded its own candidate, focusing on urban safety, road discipline, and market infrastructure. Their campaign was moderate in scale but emphasised issues like: ⢠chaotic footpaths ⢠insufficient street lighting ⢠lack of public toilets
Although not a major contender, the JP attempted to appeal to middle-class voters dissatisfied with the two major parties.
Candidates backed by left-leaning groupsâÂÂsuch as the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the Socialist PartyâÂÂran on platforms highlighting: ⢠anti-privatisation of public services ⢠rights of urban poor ⢠eviction issues ⢠environmental protection against unplanned construction
Their outreach was strongest in workersâ neighbourhoods in Mirpur and Tejgaon.
Civil society organisations such as Shujan, Nagarik Odhikar Parishad, and various youth organisations held public debates, surveys, and candidate scorecards evaluating their promises on: ⢠transparency ⢠urban governance ⢠environmental management ⢠digital service delivery ⢠disaster preparedness
These initiatives increased public engagement, especially among first-time youth voters.
The 2020 DNCC election saw a sharp rise in digital campaigning. Facebook Live sessions, online manifestos, YouTube interviews, and mobile-based volunteer networks played a significant role. Misinformation, deepfake risks, and rival propaganda were also widely discussed in media circles.
The election was mainly contested between candidates of the two major political parties in Bangladesh:
Other minor candidates from smaller parties and independent candidates also participated.