Six candidates clear nomination scrutiny for Thakurgaon-1 by-election

The nomination papers of six candidates from five political parties have been declared valid for the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, setting the stage for the October 29 vote.

Returning Officer and Thakurgaon District Election Officer Md Kamrul Islam announced the decision on Tuesday (September 29) after completing scrutiny of the nomination papers at the district election office in the presence of the candidates and their representatives.

No irregularities were found in the required documents, officials said.

The valid candidates are BNP’s Mirza Faisal Amin and Obaidullah Masud, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Delawar Hossain, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Hafez Dr Md Khademul Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan’s Md Abdul Alim Nizami and Bangladesh Congress’s Hussain Mohammad Omar Faruk.

Kamrul Islam said preparations were underway to hold the by-election in a free, fair and peaceful environment and sought cooperation from all participating parties and candidates.

Under the Election Commission’s schedule, appeals against the scrutiny decisions can be filed from September 30 to October 4, with the appeals to be disposed of on October 6. The deadline for withdrawing candidacies is October 7, while electoral symbols will be allocated on October 8. Voting is scheduled for October 29.

The Thakurgaon-1 constituency comprises Thakurgaon Sadar, Ruhia and Bhulli upazilas. The latest Election Commission figures put the number of registered voters at 515,525, with polling to be held at 185 centres and 989 polling booths.

The seat fell vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who had been elected from the constituency, assumed office as president.