Rangpur-3 goes to polls today

With around 4.42 lakh people expecting to exercise their franchise, election to Rangpur-3 constituency (Sadar upazila) will be held today.

The parliamentary seat fell vacant after HM Ershad, Jatiya Party chairman and also opposition leader of the House, died on July 14.

A total of six aspirants from different political parties are contesting the by-polls. Of the candidates, two are Ershad’s family members -- his son and JP candidate Saad Ershad and nephew Shahriar Asif.

Asif, who is contesting as an independent candidate, had been expelled from the party for violating rules.

The other contestants are: Rita Rahman of BNP; Shafiul Alam of National People’s Party; Kazi Mohammad Shahidullah of Gono Front and Touhidur Rahman Mondol of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish.

Meanwhile, Saad, Rita, Shahidullah and Shafiul are not eligible to cast their votes as they are not voters of the constituency, GM Sahatab Uddin, regional election officer in Rangpur, told this correspondent yesterday.

About the by-polls, he said, “We have taken all-out preparation.” The election will be held at 175 centres.

Sahatab said they have already appointed 175 presiding, 1,023 assistant presiding and 2,046 polling officers for the centres. At least 49 centres out of 175 are “extremely sensitive”, he said.

To ensure that no untoward incident takes place, 3,000 members of police and Ansar, 18 platoons of BGB and adequate number of Rab officials will remain deployed during the polls. There will also be striking forces led by 18 executive and four judicial magistrates. 

The day has been declared a holiday in Rangpur, said the election officer, adding that vehicular movement will be restricted in the voting areas. “Outsiders will be asked to leave the areas as well. The restrictions will remain effective till Monday morning,” he added.

Of the voters, 2,20,823 are male and 2,20,401 female, he added. Campaigning for the by-polls ended on Thursday early hours.

Meanwhile, a mock voting using electronic voting machines (EVM) was held at all the centres from 10am to 4pm on Thursday.

According to election officials, the turnout was around 80 percent.

The constituency is considered the stronghold of JP, the main opposition in parliament. Ershad won all elections he took part in from this seat following the end of his military rule in 1990.

Ershad first got elected in 1991. He was also elected in 2008, 2014 and 2019.

Besides, his brother GM Quader and widow Raushan Ershad were also elected MPs in 2001 and 2009 by-elections respectively.