Deposits of 19 out of 28 candidates forfeited in Faridpur's four seats

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the deposits of 19 out of 28 candidates contesting in four constituencies of Faridpur have been forfeited. That is, approximately 68 per cent of the total candidates lost their deposits for failing to secure the required number of votes.

According to Section 44(3) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972, if a candidate receives less than one-eighth, or 12.5 per cent, of the total valid votes cast, their deposit is forfeited and credited to the government treasury.

Faridpur-1 constituency
Eight candidates contested in this constituency comprising Boalmari, Alfadanga and Madhukhali. A total of 3,18,998 valid votes were cast. The required votes to save the deposit were 39,875. Apart from the winner, Jamaat's Md Elias Mollah, and BNP's Khandaker Nasirul Islam, the deposits of the remaining six candidates were forfeited.

Faridpur-2 constituency
Six candidates contested in this constituency comprising Nagarkanda and Saltha. Valid votes cast were 2,14,916, requiring 26,865 votes to save the deposit. Apart from the winner Shama Obaed and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish's Shah Md Akram Ali, the deposits of the other four candidates were forfeited.

Faridpur-3 constituency
Six candidates participated in this constituency comprising Sadar upazila. A total of 2,79,143 valid votes were cast. The required votes to save the deposit were 34,893. Apart from the winner Nayab Yusuf and Jamaat's Abdud Tawab, the remaining four candidates lost their deposits.

Faridpur-4 constituency
Eight candidates contested in this constituency comprising Bhanga, Sadarpur and Char Bhadrasan. Valid votes cast were 2,74,992, requiring 34,374 votes to save the deposit. While the winner, BNP's Shahidul Islam Babul, Jamaat's Md Sarwar Hossain, and independent candidate AAM Mujahid Beg saved their deposits, the deposits of the other five candidates were forfeited.

Regarding the matter, District Commissioner Md Kamrul Hasan Mollah, who serves as the District Returning Officer, said that the deposit money of those who did not receive the required votes will be credited to the government treasury.