Voting in Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 parliamentary by-elections concluded on Thursday, with counting of ballots now in progress in both constituencies.
Polling began at 7:30 AM and continued uninterrupted until 4:30 PM.
In Bogura-6, BNP candidate Rezaul Karim Badsha, Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Abidur Rahman Sohel and Bangladesh Development Party candidate Al Amin Talukder contested the election.
Despite raising allegations of irregularities during voting, Jamaat candidate refrained from boycotting and chose to wait for the results.
According to the district election office, the constituency has 450,307 voters, including 219,923 men, 230,374 women and 10 third-gender voters. Voting was held at 150 centres with 835 booths.
Meanwhile, authorities said voting in Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi-Jhenaigati) was completed in a largely peaceful manner. However, Jamaat candidate Md Masudur Rahman announced a boycott around 3:00 PM, alleging vote rigging and irregularities. Election officials said no formal written complaint had been received in this regard.
Sherpur-3 seat saw BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel, Jamaat’s Md Masudur Rahman and BASAD (Marxist) candidate Mizanur Rahman in the race. The constituency has 413,377 voters across 128 polling centres and 751 booths.
During polling, two police personnel were injured by brickbats while trying to control a situation near Sreebardi Government College ground. They are currently receiving treatment.
Extensive security arrangements were in place in both constituencies, including deployment of police, Ansar, BGB, RAB, army personnel and dog squads.
A total of 2,655 officials were engaged in election duties, along with two judicial magistrates and 20 executive magistrates.
Bogura Returning Officer Fazlul Karim said polling was held peacefully without any major untoward incidents.
Sherpur District Election Officer and Returning Officer Mohammad Jahangir Hossain said voting was conducted in a fair and normal environment, although some incidents of fake votes were detected, with those involved detained and handed over to police.
Sherpur-3 by-election was held after the February 12 poll was postponed following the death of Jamaat candidate Nuruzzaman Badal.
AM
