Bangladesh is holding its 12th general election amidst concerns about low voter turnout. However, 19 of the 39 constituencies of Rajshahi division are likely to see strong competition in the race for parliament.
Rajshahi
In Rajshahi-1, there is Awami League candidate Omar Farooq Chowdhury, and Sharmin Akhtar Nipa (Mahiya Mahi) and Gulam Rabbani as independent candidates. Farooq and Mahi are likely to have a fierce fight.
In Rajshahi-3, Awami League has Asaduzzaman Asad, who will face competition from AKM Motiur Rahman Montu of BNM.
In Rajshahi-4, Enamul Haque, an independent candidate and current MP, is contesting against ruling party candidate Abul Kalam Azad.
In Rajshahi-6, Awami League has Shahriar Alam, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs. His strong rival is independent candidate Raihanul Haque Thandu.
Chapainawabganj
In Chapainawabganj-1, Awami League candidate Dr Shamil Uddin Ahmed Shimul will face off against Syed Nazrul Islam and Golam Rabbani, who are independent candidates.
In Chapainawabganj-3, Awami League has sitting MP Abdul Odud, whose opponent is Chapainawabganj BNP joint convener and former municipal mayor Abdul Matin contesting as a BNM candidate.
Natore
In Natore-1, Awami League's candidate and current member of parliament Md Shahidul Islam will clash with former MP independent candidate Abul Kalam Azad of the same party.
In Natore-3, Awami League candidate Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the State Minister for ICT Division, will be against Shafiqul Islam, the recently resigned chairman of Singra Upazila Parishad and an independent candidate.
In Natore-4, Asif Abdullah Bin Quddus, an independent candidate, may have a fierce battle with Boat candidate Md Siddiqur Rahman Patwary.
Naogaon
In Naogaon-1, Boat candidate Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar will have a tough fight with independent candidate Niamatpur Upazila Awami League former vice-president and Chandannagar Union Parishad Chairman Khalekuzzaman Tota.
In Naogaon-3, Boat candidate former bureaucrat Sourendranath Chakraborty and independent candidate Salim Uddin Tarafdar will have a tough fight.
In Naogaon-4, Awami League candidate is Nahid Morshed Babu. Brahani Sultan Mahmud and Emaz Uddin Pramanik are contesting the polls as independent candidates.
Bogra
In Bogra-1 Awami League candidate Shahdara Mannan Shilpi, wife of late member of parliament Abdul Mannan, will clash against Bogra BNP Advisor Md Shokrana, an independent candidate.
In Bogra-2, Jatiya Party has Shariful Islam Jinnah. Beauty Begum is an independent candidate for this seat.
In Bogra-4, Rezaul Karim Tansen is contesting with the Boat symbol from the 14-party alliance. Dr Ziaul Haque Mollah has become an independent candidate. And Ashraful Alom (Hero Alom) is contesting as a candidate of Bangladesh Congress Party. There is a high possibility of a three-way fight between these candidates.
Bogra-7 has Awami League candidate Md Mustafa Alam Nannu. ATM Aminul Islam Pintu there from Jatiya Party.
Sirajganj-5
In Sirajganj-5, current MP and Boat candidate is Abdul Momin Mondol. Former minister of Fisheries and Livestock Awami League leader Abdul Latif Biswas is contesting as an independent candidate. Major (retd) Abdullah Al Mamun, son of former BNP MP Ansar Ali Siddiqui, is also an independent candidate.
Pabna
In Pabna-1, Awami League candidate is Md Shamsul Haque Tuku. Awami League's former minister of State for information Professor Dr Abu Sayeed has become an independent candidate.
In Pabna-2, current MP Ahmed Firoz Kabir is the Awami League candidate. Khandaker Azizul Haque Arju will contest as an independent.