After monopolising the airwaves, social media, column inches, and all manner of political discourse up and down the country for the better part of the last three weeks, the much-anticipated Narayanganj City Corporation election is all set to be held on Sunday. The official electioneering period ended at midnight Friday.

In less than 12 hours, Narayanganj, and its electorate numbering 517,357 voters - including 257,519 females, will go to the polls to elect a mayor for only the third time, and most indications are that as on both previous occasions, they will choose once again to side with Dr Selina Hayat Ivy.

In the history of independent Bangladesh, there is no precedent of a three-time mayor for any city corporation - small or big, old or new. Previously only the divisional headquarters were served by their own city corporations. Today, there are 12 city corporations spread across the country, including two to serve the administratively bifurcated capital. None of them has elected the same person as mayor thrice.

So although seven candidates are running for the post of the NCC mayor this time, it is no surprise that Ivy, standing for the second time as the ruling party nominee and standing on the verge of history, has been the centre of attention throughout the campaign.

Her only opponent of note is thought to be Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker, a veteran BNP leader in the area who is fighting as an independent candidate. Although his party had to drop him from the post of chairperson's adviser for throwing his hat in the ring for a race the BNP is boycotting (as they have done with all elections under the present Election Commission, after the 2018 GE), this is likely to be a temporary removal, and notably there is no move to isolate him. His principal public lieutenants are mostly the BNP's post-holders in Narayanganj.

On the other hand, local supporters of BNP are working for Taimur despite the party's move to remove him from the party post, and along with them, local supporters of the Jatiya Party are also campaigning for Taimur whose presence is strengthened with the support of some Islamic groups as well. According to media reports, local followers of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh are also campaigning for Taimur.

Adding to the intrigue is Ivy's very public and long-running spat with Shamim Osman MP, dating back to the first NCC election in 2011, when running as an independent 'rebel' candidate, she defeated AL-nominated Osman by over 1 lakh votes.

Excitement over the election seemed to mirror the new wave of Coronavirus infections throughout last week. The Omicron variant-driven Third Wave of Covid-19 is knocking at the door. Bangladesh has already entered a new restrictive mode from Thursday.

Jayedul Alam, the superintendent of police in Narayanaganj, said to the Dhaka Courier that they are trying to awaken people to maintain health protocol so that the occasion of the election would not turn into a super spreader.

"The election is all set to take place, and we are working so hard to keep everything in control," Jayedul told Dhaka Courier. "And we are trying to make people aware so that they maintain health protocol. There will be hand-sanitisers and face masks free for all so that they can protect themselves from being exposed to the virus."

According to media reports, a committee of Narayanganj Chhatra League, a student wing of Awami League, was dissolved as they were due to join Ivy's campaign. Habibur Rahman Ryad, president of the committee, said to the media that they were advised by the local administration to work sincerely for Ivy. He also claimed that the law enforcers went to the houses of some Chhatra League leaders.

Both Taimur and Ivy expressed their fear of violence in the election. The fear is intensified after the local lawmaker Shamim Osman entered the scene urging his activists to work for Ivy.

After Shamim Osman urged Awami League activists to campaign for Ivy, police are forcing Awami League leaders to do so, alleged Taimur. But police denied this allegation.

On January 13, a group of Awami League leaders including Jahangir Kabir Nanak met the district commissioner of Narayanganj. Taimur said that it was a 'secret' meeting to influence the election- the claim was denied by district commissioner Mostain Billah.

A day later, Taimur came up with another allegation saying that Awami League leaders are staying at the hotels and other government facilities to influence the election. He reiterated his fear about a fair election, and he urged Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina to oversee the election in Narayanganj.

While Taimur is coming up with allegations, Ivy said the central leadership of the Awami League is hopeful about her victory in the election.

While talking to the media on Friday, she said: "No one from central leadership is trying to influence the election in Narayanganj. They never were doubtful about my victory. They probably are overseeing something else. Maybe, they are trying to ensure a fair election."

Additional Reporting by Saif Hasnat