The probe body formed by the Election Commission over the irregularities reported from Gaibandha-5 by-polls is headed towards the constituency to talk to concerned authorities.
The committee is set to take statements from 685 people from Tuesday to Thursday, reports Bangla Tribune.
Election Commission Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath, the convener of the probe body, told Bangla Tribune that the committee has already begun its work.
“The committee will now talk to the concerned officials of the centres declared closed during the by-polls. Members of law enforcement agencies, media workers, returning officers and rival candidates are on the list. A notice has already been issued in this regard,” he added.
The Election Commission will decide its next course of action about the Gaibandha-5 by-polls after receiving an investigation report from the probe body.
"The committee will submit its report within seven days. It (EC) will take its final decision after receiving the report," Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal was quoted as saying by UNB.
The committee has been asked to submit its investigation report within the next seven working days.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said it would not be logical to evaluate upcoming elections in light of the incidents that happened in Gaibandha as the commission had successfully conducted previous elections in Comilla City Corporation and Jhenaidah Municipality with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
On October 12, the commission suspended the by-election for the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat amid widespread allegations of vote rigging and voter intimidation.
The Gaibandha-5 constituency comprises 10 unions of Saghata upazila and 7 unions of Phulchhari upazila.
Following the death of Fazle Rabbi Mia, MP and Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, on July 23, the Gaibandha-5 seat fell vacant.
