EC set to hold Sylhet 3 by-polls Saturday

Published at 01:44 pm September 3rd, 2021

The Election Commission is planning to use EVMs at the polling centres in one-third of the country’s 300 constituencies, a move which drew huge criticism from oppositions and independent observers Syed Zakir Hossain

File photo of an electronic voting machine (EVMs) Syed Zakir Hossain/Dhaka Tribune

In a joint statement issued by the Sylhet district and metropolitan BNP on Friday, the party boycotted the election

The Election Commission has completed all the preparations to hold the by-election to Sylhet 3 constituency on Saturday using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Voting will start at 8am and continue until 4pm in the evening.

The Sylhet 3 constituency consists of Fenchuganj, Balaganj and South Surma with 350,000 voters.

According to sources, a magistrate will be in charge of each union in the by-election of the Sylhet 3 constituency. An additional deputy commissioner will be appointed in each upazila on the day of the election.

In a joint statement issued by the Sylhet district and metropolitan BNP on Friday, the party boycotted the election.

Also Read - By-polls to Sylhet 3 constituency on September 4

Even though the BNP has decided to boycott this election, four others are competing in the election.

Habibur Rahman Habib is running for the by-polls from the ruling Awami League’s ticket along with Jatiya Party’s Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Congress’ Junayed Mohammad Miah and Shafi Ahmed Chowdhury, a BNP rebel candidate.

Voting in the parliamentary constituency could not take place in the first 90 days due to the lockdown, caused by Covid-19, in the country.

The seat remained vacant after the death of Awami League MP Mahmud Us Samad. He died from the coronavirus on March 11.