Dhaka-17 by-polls: All set to go to election on Monday

The parliamentary by-polls to Dhaka-17 constituency and election to seven municipalities of seven districts are set to be held on Monday.

The balloting will open at 8:00pm and continue till 4:00pm without any recess.

Tight security measures have been taken to ensure peaceful voting, authorities said.

In the Dhaka-17 constituency, eight candidates are running in the race to be elected a member of parliament. The seat comprising Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and part of Dhaka Cantonment fell vacant after the death of popular actor and freedom fighter Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque MP on 14 May this year.

The contestants are Mohammad Ali Arafat of Bangladesh Awami League (with Boat symbol), Sikder Anisur Rahman of Jatiya Party (Plough), independent Ashraful Hossain Alam (Monochord), Kazi Rashidul Hasan of Jaker Party (Rose), Akter Hossain of Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote (Cane), independent Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan (Truck), Rezaul Karim Swapan of Bangladesh Congress (Green coconut) and Sheikh Habibur Rahman of Trinamul BNP (Golden fiber).

The number of voters is 325,205 under 125 polling stations in the Dhaka-17 constituency which comprises ward no: 15,18,19 and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as Dhaka cantonment area.

On June 01, the Election Commission announced the by-election schedule for Dhaka-17 which fell vacant following the death of ruling Awami League MP Akbar Hossain Pathan alias Farooque.

Seven municipalities going to polls on Monday are Bhandaria of Pirojpur, Debidwar of Cumilla, Chengarchar of Chandpur, Benapole of Jashore, Dohazari of Chattorgram, Gosairhat of Shariatpur and Tarash of Sirajganj.

Among the municipalities, the number of voters is 22,415 in Bhandaria, 33,336 in Chengarchar, 44,509 in Debidwar, 30,385 in Benapole, 33,586 in Dohazari, 18,032 in Gosairhat and 19,287 in Tarash.

A total of 33 mayoral candidates are running for seven posts, while 102 female contestants for 21 reserve seats and 364 contenders for 63 general councillor posts in the seven municipalities.

The voting will be held with the use of traditional ballot papers in the parliamentary by-election unlike the municipal polls where electronic voting machines will be used.

Besides, the by-polls to the vacant posts of a number of local bodies – Union Parishads, municipalities, Upazila Parishads, and Zila Parishad-- will be held on Monday.