Dhaka, Apr 09 (V7N) — Voting in the by-elections for the Bogra-6 and Sherpur-3 constituencies of the 13th National Parliament began on Thursday morning and is continuing in a peaceful atmosphere under tight security.

According to the Election Commission of Bangladesh, polling started at 7:30 AM and will continue until 4:30 PM.

In the Bogra-6 constituency, vacated by Tarique Rahman, a total of over 450,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots, along with 3,736 postal voters. Candidates contesting the seat include BNP nominee Rezaul Karim Badsha, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Abidur Rahman Sohel, and Bangladesh Development Party candidate Al Amin Talukder.

The constituency comprises 11 unions and 21 wards of a municipality, with 150 polling stations in total. Of these, 53 centers have been identified as sensitive or high-risk, prompting enhanced security arrangements.

Meanwhile, in the Sherpur-3 constituency, which includes Sribardi Upazila and Jhenaigati Upazila, there are 413,377 registered voters. Voting is taking place across 128 polling stations.

Key contenders in Sherpur-3 are BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel, Jamaat nominee Masudur Rahman, and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal candidate Mizanur Rahman. However, observers suggest the main contest is between BNP and Jamaat candidates.

To ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election, authorities have deployed extensive security measures, including members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police, magistrates, and the army. Police and Ansar personnel are stationed at every polling center, while law enforcement agencies remain on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents.

The election in Sherpur-3 had previously been postponed following the death of Jamaat candidate Nuruzzaman Badal ahead of the February 12 national polls.

END/SMA/AJ