A total of 20 candidates who contested the 13th national parliamentary election on February 12 lost their security deposits in six parliamentary constituencies of Rajshahi.
According to election results announced on Thursday night by Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Afia Akhtar, candidates who failed to secure at least one-eighth of the total votes cast in their respective constituencies lost their deposits as per the regulations.
Rajshahi-1
A total of 351,844 votes were cast in this constituency. To retain their deposit, candidates needed at least 43,981 votes. Three candidates failed to meet the threshold. Mir Md. Shahjahan of Gono Odhikar Parishad secured 407 votes, followed by Abdur Rahman of Amar Bangladesh Party 11,000 votes, and independent candidate Al Saad 663 votes.
Rajshahi-2
Out of 235,916 votes cast, candidates required 29,490 votes to save their deposit. Four candidates failed to reach the required number. Saeed Noman of Amar Bangladesh Party received 786 votes, followed by Shamsul Alam of Nagorik Oikya 552 votes, Mezbaul Islam of Bangladesh Labour Party 387 votes, and independent candidate Saleh Ahmed received 801 votes.
Rajshahi-3
A total of 327,407 votes were cast, requiring 40,926 votes to retain a deposit. Four candidates fell short. Said Parvez of Am Janatar Dal received 295 votes, followed by Fazlur Rahman of Islami Andolon 1,154 votes, Afzal Hossain of Jatiya Party 2,390 votes, and independent candidate Habiba Begum 1,177 votes.
Rajshahi-4
With 231,190 votes cast, candidates needed 28,899 votes to retain their deposit. Two candidates failed to do so. Tajul Islam Khan of Islami Andolon received 670 votes, and Fazlul Haque of Jatiya Party secured 1,759 votes.
Rajshahi-5
Out of 243,436 votes cast, the minimum required to save a deposit was 30,430 votes. Five candidates failed to meet the requirement. Altaf Hossain Molla of Bangladesh Supreme Party received 938 votes, followed by Ruhul Amin of Islami Andolon 620 votes, independent candidate Isfa Khairul Haque 2,496 votes, independent candidate Raihan Kawsar 442 votes, and independent candidate Rezaul Karim 6,432 votes.
Rajshahi-6
A total of 253,302 votes were cast, with 31,663 votes required to retain a deposit. Two candidates failed to meet the threshold. Abdus Salam Suruj of Islami Andolon received 1,628 votes and Iqbal Hossain of Jatiya Party secured 2,930 votes.
Rajshahi Senior District Election Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Motawakkil Rahman said that candidates must secure at least one-eighth of the total valid votes cast in their constituency to retain their deposit. As a result, he said, 20 candidates across six constituencies in Rajshahi lost their deposits.
