Gaibandha-5 by–election likely to held by Jan 15

The Gaibandha-5 by-election is likely to be held by January 15, Election Commissioner Rasheda Sultana said on Monday.

Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold an election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022, and it was scheduled for October 12 accordingly.

But the EC cancelled the election because of “widespread malpractices” on Election Day due to rampant irregularities.

Later, a three-member committee was formed to look into the irregularities.

Following the recommendations of the committee, the Election Commission took punitive actions against 133 officials including an additional deputy commissioner, five sub-inspectors and returning officers of the election.

The candidates of the Gaibandha-5 by-election are — Awami League candidate Mahmud Hasan Ripon, Jatiya Party candidate AHM Golam Shaheed Ranju, Bikalpa Dhara candidate Advocate Jahangir Alam, Independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad and Syed Mahbubur Rahman.

The constituency consists of Saghata and Phulchhari upazila and 3,39,743 people will exercise their voting rights.