Candidates contesting the by-elections in the Sherpur-3 and Bogra-6 constituencies will begin their official election campaigns from March 16, following the allocation of election symbols.
Officials from the Election Commission’s (EC) election management wing confirmed the matter on Saturday, adding that candidates will get a total of 23 days for campaigning.
According to EC officials, five candidates have submitted nomination papers for the Sherpur-3 constituency. They are Abul Taleb Md Saifuddin of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Md Masudur Rahman of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Md Mahmudul Haque Rubel of the BNP, Md Mizanur Rahman of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), and independent candidate Md Aminul Islam.
The scrutiny of nomination papers for the seat has already been completed, and the commission is currently accepting appeals.
Voting in Sherpur-3 during the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12 was suspended following the death of a valid candidate. The EC later announced a fresh schedule for the by-election.
In Bogra-6, nomination papers have been submitted by Md Abidur Rahman of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Md Rezaul Karim Badsha of the BNP, and Md Al Alim Talukdar of the Bangladesh Development Party. The returning officer has already completed the scrutiny of their nomination papers.
In the February 12 election, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was elected from Bogra-6. However, as the law does not allow a person to hold parliamentary membership from two constituencies simultaneously, he retained the Dhaka-17 seat and vacated the Bogra-6 seat.
As a result, the seat was declared vacant and the Election Commission announced a fresh schedule for the by-election.
According to the schedule, the deadline for the disposal of appeals is March 11, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 14. Election symbols will be allocated on March 15, campaigning will begin on March 16, and voting will take place on April 9.
Candidates will be able to campaign among voters until 7:30am on April 7.
The Election Commission said it has taken all necessary preparations to ensure a free, fair and neutral election.