Khaleda Zia's death won't affect polls in 3 seats: EC

The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that the death of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will not disrupt the election schedule in three constituencies where nomination papers were submitted in her name, as her passing occurred before the scrutiny of nominations began.

Nomination papers were filed in Khaleda Zia's name for Feni-1, Bogura-7 and Dinajpur-3 ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. However, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said on Tuesday that a fresh election schedule is required only if a candidate dies after their nomination has been declared valid.

"In this case, that situation has not arisen. Therefore, there is no need to reissue the schedule," he told reporters.
Bogura Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md Toufiqul Rahman said Khaleda Zia's nomination papers would remain suspended, as her death took place before the scrutiny process. He noted that multiple BNP candidates had submitted nomination papers in Bogura-7 and that party symbols had not yet been allocated.