Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold postponed Bogura-1 and Jashore-6 by-election on July 14.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the EC held at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargoan on Saturday afternoon. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda, other four election commissioners, EC Secretary Md Alamgir and other officials were present.
EC Secretary Md Alamgir said, the two by-polls will be held on July 14 with ballot paper.
When asked how it will be organised during coronavirus pandemic, the EC secretary said that we are under constitutional obligation to hold polls in a vacant constituency within 180 days. There is no second option.
According to the constitution, an election to fill the seat of a Member of Parliament which falls vacant other than by reason of the dissolution of Parliament shall be held within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy.
Provided that in a case where, in the opinion of the Chief Election Commissioner, it is not possible — for reasons of an act of God — to hold such election within the period specified in this clause, such election shall be held within 90 days after the last day of such period, according to the constitution.
The Bogura-1 and Jashore-6 constituencies fell vacant with the deaths of ruling party MPs Abdul Mannan and Ismat Ara Sadique respectively.
Another two by-election will be held soon. Commission will sit as early as possible to discuss about the election to hold within the given time. The 180 days obligation will be end after few days later, he said.
July 15 will mark the end of border of 180 days since Bogura-1 seat became vacant. For Jashore-6, the date is July 28, the EC Secretary said.
The election will be held using ballot paper and strictly following health guideline.
Earlier on March 21, the commission decided to postpone the election of Chittagong City Corporation, along with the by-polls to Bogra-1 and Jessore-6 constituencies due to the corona outbreak.
The city corporation and the by-polls of the constituencies were scheduled for March 29.
