BNP-backed candidates Rezaul Karim Badsha and Mahmudul Haque Rubel have won the by-poll to Bogura-6 (Sadar) and election to Sherpur-3 (Srivardi-Jhenaigati) constituencies.
In Bogura-6 (Sadar), Rezaul Karim Badsha, contesting with the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol, bagged 133,215 votes. His nearest rival, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Principal Abidur Rahman Sohel, secured 56,904 votes with the 'Scale' symbol, while Al Amin Talukder trailed far behind with 512 votes under the 'Cauliflower' symbol.
After counting ballots from all 150 centres, Badsha emerged victorious by a margin of 76,311 votes. According to district election officials, voter turnout in the constituency stood at 42.57 per cent, excluding postal ballots.
The seat fell vacant after Tarique Rahman won multiple constituencies in the 13th National Parliament election and relinquished Bogura-6, triggering the by-poll.
In Sherpur-3 (Srivardi-Jhenaigati), BNP-backed Mahmudul Haque Rubel delivered another landslide, securing 166,117 votes from 128 centres. His closest competitor, Jamaat candidate Alhaj Masudur Rahman Masud, received 47,051 votes.
Sherpur District Election Officer and Returning Officer Mohammad Jahangir Hossain confirmed the results at around 8:30pm on Thursday, stating that voting was conducted in a generally "fair and normal" manner. He acknowledged isolated incidents of irregularities, including allegations of fake voting in a few centres, adding that those involved were detained and handed over to law enforcement.
Voter turnout in Sherpur-3 was recorded at 50.52 per cent.
The by-election in Sherpur-3 had initially been scheduled for February 12 but was deferred following the death of a candidate.
Polling in both constituencies ran from 7:00am to 4:30pm, with vote counting carried out at the centres before results were compiled and formally announced by returning officers.
