Dhaka, Jan 27 – The parliamentary polls to Gaibandha-3 constituency were peacefully held on Sunday.
A total of five candidates except for Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) participated the polls.
However, the candidate of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) SM Khademul Islam Khudi boycotted the election with the allegation of casting fake voters and other irregularities by the ruling Awami League candidate.
Khudi boycotted the polls through an announcement at the Gaibandha Press Club in the afternoon. He said though the elections were being held in a fair way till noon but the supporters of the ruling party
candidates stuffed the ballot boxes in the afternoon.
He further alleged that though this matter was brought to the attention of the Returning Officer, no action was taken.
The other candidates were Awami League candidate Yunus Ali Sakar, Jatiya Party candidate Dilara Khandakar, National Peoples Party candidate Mizanur Rahman Titu and independent candidate Abu Jafar Md Zahid.
The election started at 8 am and continue till 4 pm without any break.
A total of 4,11,854 voters cast their votes at 132 centres under the constituency comprising of two Upazilas Sadullahpur and Palashbari.
The Commission could not hold the poll of Gaibandha-3 on December 30, 2018, as one of its candidates died before holding the poll. EC postponed the election to the constituency and announced fresh
schedule for the constituency setting the date on January 27.
Returning Officer told the journalist said voters cast their votes at different polling centres in a festive manner in the presence of law enforcers.
The Commission deployed law enforcers including Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar and VDP. A total of 12 police and 12 Ansars were deployed at each centre. A total of 25,00 police and 20 platoons, BGB members were there in the election.
Besides, there were executive and judicial magistrates to ensure the law and order situation. A total of 32 presiding officers, 786 assistant presiding officers, and 1,572 polling agents were there to hold the polls.
In addition, Election Commission deployed its observers and monitoring persons to oversee the elections.
During the 11th parliamentary polls on December 30, 2018, to 299 constituencies, Awami League won 259 seats, while Jatiya Party 20 seats, BNP six seats, Workers’ Party in three constituencies,
Ganoforum, JSD and Bikalpadhara each in two seats, Tarikat Federation and JP (Manju) each in one seat.
On the occasion of the election, there will be a public holiday so that voters can cast their votes. There will also be a ban on plying vehicles except for the emergency vehicles during the election. There will also be a ban on riding motorcycles till the next day of the election. – Staff Reporter
