The Election Commission (EC) has postponed voting in Gaibandha-5 constituency in the ensuing 12th parliamentary polls slated to be held on Sunday (January 7).
The EC said the decision has been taken as the election situation in that constituency is not favourable.
The EC informed it at about 6:30pm on Friday. As a result, voting in the constituency will not be held on January 7.
The candidates who are contesting in Magura-5 contituency under the 12th parliamentary election are Awami League candidate Mahmud Hasan Ripon (Boat), Awami League's Independent Farzana Rabbi Bubly (Truck), Shamsul Azad Shitol (Eagle), Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh's Jahangir Alam (Kula) and NPP's Faruque Mia (Mango).
Earlier, on January 3 last -- just four days before the election -- Jatiya Party candidate in the constituency Ataur Rahman Sarker announced withdrawal of his candidature from the election citing unilateral election by the government, overall political situation and personal reasons.
Earlier, the EC suspended election at Naogaon-2 constituency over the death of independent candidate Aminul Huq. At that time, the EC's additional secretary Ashoke Kumar Debnath said independent candidate Aminul Huq (Eagle symbol) of Naogaon-2 constituency died of a heart attack at United Hospital in Dhaka.
He said the EC would decide later on when it would hold election in that constituency.
Meanwhile, the EC postponed election in one more constituency one day ahead of the election. So, the voting will begin at 8:00am on Sunday (January 7) in 298 constituencies simultaneously.
It may be mentioned that the EC directed to suspend voting in the by-election of Magura-5 constituency after witnessing irregularities in one-third polling centres on closed-circuit cameras from Dhaka on October 12, 2022.
It was the first incident to suspend voting completely in a parliamentary constituency due to irregularities in the history of Bangladesh Election Commission.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal formed a three-member probe committee to identify those who were involved in irregularities in Gaibandha-5 voting. On the basis of the committee's report, the Election Commission decided to take action against more than 100 officials including the Returning Officer (deputy commissioner), additional deputy commissioner, presiding officers, sub-inspectors of police and executive magistrates, and polling agents.
Later on January 4, 2023, voting was held in the by-election at Magura-5 constituency afresh and ruling Awami League candidate Mahmud Hossain Ripon was elected member of parliament (MP). The former president of Bangladesh Chhatra League Ripon is also a candidate of 'Boat' in Gaibandha-5 constituency this time.
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