DHAKA, Mar 14, (V7N) -The Election Commission (EC) announced that Saturday is the final day for candidates to withdraw their nominations in the upcoming Bogura‑6 by‑election and Sherpur‑3 general election. Withdrawal applications must be submitted to returning officers within office hours.

Voting in both constituencies will take place on April 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., using ballot papers and transparent ballot boxes. The EC said polling will be conducted without interruption.

In Sherpur‑3, five candidates remain valid after scrutiny: Md. Mahmudul Haque Rubel of the BNP, Md. Masudur Rahman of Jamaat‑e‑Islami, one candidate each from Islami Andolon Bangladesh and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), and one independent contender. The election was rescheduled after the death of a Jamaat candidate during the February 12 national polls.

For the Bogura‑6 by‑election, three candidates are in the race: Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha of the BNP, Md. Abidur Rahman of Jamaat‑e‑Islami, and one candidate from the Bangladesh Development Party. All nominations were declared valid after scrutiny.

The Bogura‑6 seat became vacant when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who won the constituency in February, chose to retain Dhaka‑17, as MPs cannot hold two seats simultaneously. The EC subsequently declared the seat vacant and announced a fresh schedule.

According to the timetable, March 14 is the final day for withdrawal of nominations, while March 15 has been set for allocation of election symbols.

END/AJ/RH