Stalled Tangail by-polls Jan 31

The by-election to the Tangail-4 constituency, which fell vacant following the resignation of sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique in 2015, will be held on January 31.

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday decided to proceed with the by-polls as all legal complexities have been cleared by the court, said the EC secretary.

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique was expelled from the ruling Awami League and cabinet for the "anti-religious remarks" he made in the US in September 2014.

Later, in August 2015, Latif Siddique announced to resign from parliament.

Tangail-4 constituency was declared vacant by the Parliament Secretariat from September 1 after Latif Siddique tendered his resignation letter to the Speaker. On September 15, 2015, the EC announced the schedule to hold the by-polls on October 28 that year.

But the by-election was suspended due to legal complexity over the validity of the candidacy of Krishak Shramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddique. However, all legal complexities were cleared as the SC on January 18 this year upheld the cancellation of his nomination. Three candidates are contesting in the by-election -- Hasan Imam Khan of Awami League, Ataur Rahman Khan of Bangladesh Nationalist Front, and Imrul Kayes of National People's Party.