Dhaka Bureau: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal commented that CC cameras played an important role in the by-election of Gaibandha-5. Along with that, he said, there is doubt as to how much it can be used according to the magnitude of the upcoming National Assembly elections.
He said these things to the reporters after the Gaibandha-5 by-election at the election building on Wednesday (January 4).
Meanwhile, the polling in Gaibandha-5 (Phulchari-Saghata) constituency is over. Voting started at 8 am and ended at 4:30 pm. In all the 145 centers of this constituency, polling is conducted continuously by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Now the counting of votes is going on.
In this regard, the CEC said that the by-election was held in Gaibandha-5 seat without any untoward incident. However, due to winter, the turnout was less. Besides, according to election office sources, 35 percent votes were cast in this by-election.
Mahmud Hasan Ripon, former president of Chhatra League, is contesting as Awami League candidate in this by-election. Apart from this, AHM Golam Shahid of Jatiya Party, Jahangir Alam of Alternative Dhara and independent candidate Syed Mahbubur Rahman are also contesting in the by-election of Gaibandha-5 seat. However, another independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad held a press conference on December 25 and announced the boycott of the by-election.
Incidentally, on October 12, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) suspended the election mid-way after seeing irregularities in the polling of this seat on the CC camera. Later, as evidence of irregularities and neglect of duty was found, the EC decided to punish 134 persons including returning officer, additional deputy commissioner, executive magistrate, 5 sub-inspectors (SI) of police and polling officer with dismissal under special law.
Earlier, Gaibandha-5 Constituency Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi died on July 23. After the Election Commission declared the seat vacant, the by-election for this seat was held on 12 October. However, it was canceled due to allegations of irregularities in the voting.
