Following his surprising announcement of contesting Dhaka-17 by-polls on Sunday, YouTuber Ashraful Hossen Alom, popularly known as Hero Alom, collected his nomination paper from the Election Commission office on Monday.
The popular social media star talked to EC officials about the regulations on participating in the polls during his visit, Dhaka-17 Returning Officer Md Muniruzzaman told Dhaka Tribune.
Hero Alom collected the nomination paper at 4:30pm on Monday. He will submit it on Tuesday, Md Munirizzaman added.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Hero Alom said: "I am a media worker and hold great respect and admiration for actor Farooque. I have visited the areas of the Dhaka-17 constituency. There is still a lot of work remaining. Even if I win and can accomplish some tasks during his five-month tenure, I will be satisfied."
He said: "Gulshan-Banani area is not only the habitat for elite society. There are a lot of poor people there who are overlooked by the authorities. I will work for them if I get the chance."
File photo of Hero Alom taken while he was campaigning for a ward councillor in Dhaka in 2021 Dhaka TribuneHero Alom exudes unwavering confidence in his chances of winning the by-elections. However, Hero Alom asserted that his victory is inevitable if the polls are conducted fairly.
The constituency fell vacant following the death of actor Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque.
Additionally, Hero Alom also declared his candidacy for the Bogra-4 constituency in the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election.
He further stated that he has prepared an ambulance for the welfare of the people in the electoral area. He will soon hand it over.
Hero Alam took part in the by-elections to Bogra-4 and Bogra-6 seats held in February.
He came very close to becoming a lawmaker. He fell short of only 834 votes and was defeated by Awami League-backed Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) candidate in the Bogra-4 constituency.
Dhaka Tribune reporters Mamun Abdullah and Bogra correspondent Nazmul Huda Nasim contributed to this story.
