The Election Commission (EC) has sent a letter to the concerned authorities to know what action has been taken against those involved in the irregularities reported in the Gaibandha-5 by-polls last year.
The letter, which was sent on Thursday, directed authorities to inform their actions regarding the matter to the Election Commission within 15 days.
On December 20 last year, the Election Commission sent another letter to concerned authorities regarding what actions were taken against the 133 officials who were made accused of the irregularities during the by-polls.
The Election Commission had asked the authorities to send their answers within two months, but as they did not send them yet, another letter was sent on Thursday.
On March 28, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said they received about 40 responses from the relevant recruitment authorities saying they were taking action.
In this regard, the chief election commissioner said: “When we write the letters, we have to follow some rules of the departments. Maybe they are taking action and proceeding with the matter. We did not get a response from all of them. We will send another letter. Then we will inform them of our decision to expedite action or whether we have any other alternative measures.”
However, the new letter does not mention this matter.
On October 12 last year, the Election Commission suspended the by-polls to Gaibandha-5 citing “rampant irregularities” on election day, and later the commission fixed January 4, 2023, for holding the polls.
Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold an election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022. Accordingly, it was scheduled for October 12.
A three-member panel was formed to probe into the irregularities.
Following the recommendations of the committee, the Election Commission took punitive actions against 133 officials, including an additional deputy commissioner, five sub-inspectors, and the returning officer.
The constituency consists of Saghata and Fulchari upazila and has 339,743 voters.