9 file nomination for Gaibandha by-polls

Nine candidates have submitted nomination papers for contesting the by-elections to Gaibandha-1 constituency scheduled to be held on March 22.

The by-polls in the constituency fell vacant following the murder of Awami League lawmaker Manzurul Islam Liton on December 31 last year.

A total of 11 candidates collected nomination papers for the polls.  Nine of them submitted their forms till today, the last date of submission, said GM Shahatab, Regional Election Officer, Rangpur.

The candidates are: Golam Mostafa Ahmed from AL, Shamim Hyder Patwari from JP (Ershad), Advocate Mohammed Ali Pramanik from JSD (Inu), Waheduzzaman Sarkar Badsha from JP (Monju), Shariful Islam from Gano Front, and Zia Zaman Khan from NPP. The independent candidates are Mostafa Mahsin, Abdul Majid Mia and Nawshed Ali.

The last day for nomination paper withdrawal has been fixed on March 1.

Liton, ruling AL lawmaker of Gaibandha-1 constituency, was killed after unknown assailants opened fire on him inside his home at Sundarganj upazila of the district on December 31 last year.