Naogaon-2 polls postponed following independent candidate's death

The Election Commission (EC) today decided to postpone the election to the Naogaon-2 constituency following the death of an independent candidate earlier in the day.

Ashok Kumar Debnath, additional secretary of the EC, made the announcement in a press conference at the EC hours after the death of Aminul Haq, a former Awami League leader from Naogaon-2 (Patnitola and Dhamoirhat).

He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. Aminul got his electoral symbol on Thursday after a High Court directive restored his candidacy.

A fresh schedule for the Naogaon-2 polls will be announced soon, said the additional secretary.

According to a directive issued by the EC on December 3, if any valid candidate vying for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election dies, the election proceedings of the respective constituency must be cancelled as per the provisions of Article 91A and Article 91E of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.

However, a public notification will have to be made in accordance with Clause (1) of Article 17, said the directive.

Aminul came to Dhaka on Monday to take part in the hearing on his candidacy, but he fell sick and was admitted to United Hospital on Tuesday night, his son Asiful Haq said.

He said his father had been suffering from various health complications and died around 5:00am. Aminul's body was taken to Noagaon in the afternoon.

Aminul was vying as an independent candidate after he failed to get the AL ticket. But the election committee cancelled his candidacy on various issues. Later, he submitted a petition with the HC challenging the EC decision. A hearing was held and on Wednesday, and the High Court issued a directive restoring his candidacy and asking the EC to allocate him an electoral symbol.