The local organisations are Fair Election Monitoring Alliance (Fema), Bangladesh Human Rights Commission, Human Rights, Janipop (Jatiya Nirbachan Parjabekkhan Parishad), Odhikar, Democracywatch, the National Democratic Foundation (NDF), Brotee, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development, The Good Earth, Manab Seba Unnayan Sangstha, Ongikar Bangladesh, and the Centre for Protecting Human Rights, according to Election Commission (EC) sources.

A number of international observation groups will also monitor the election, including the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the US Embassy and the British High Commission in Dhaka, according to the EC sources.

Meanwhile, opposition-backed Nagorik Committee candidate and incumbent Mayor ABM Mohiuddin has filed an objection to the NDF involvement with the EC.

Former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) president Assaduzzaman Ripon operates the NDF, which has applied for monitoring the polls with over 600 observers.

However, Returning Officer for the CCC polls, Golam Quddus, has denied receiving an application from the NDF at his office in the port city.

"The NDF might have applied directly to the Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka," he told The Daily Star yesterday.