RANGPUR, Oct 02, 2019 (BSS) – As electioneering ends from tomorrow
(Thursday), poll campaign reached its climax at these last hours today in the
by-election in Rangpur-3 parliamentary constituency.
Voters, especially youths and students, are showing more interests in
franchising their rights to elect better and committed leadership through the
Rangpur-3 by-poll slated for October 5 (Saturday) next.
The authorities concerned have taken tight security measures in holding
the by-poll in a free, fair, peaceful, impartial, credible and transparent
manner in a festive atmosphere ensuring a sound law and order situation.
The contesting candidates and their workers are conducting their last
moment door-to-door campaigns and streets rallies in both urban and rural
areas of Rangpur-3 seat to attract voters for casting votes in favour of
their respective candidates.
Officials said the Rangpur-3 parliamentary constituency fell vacant
following the death of Leader of the Opposition and Jatiya Party (JaPa)
Chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad on July 14 last.
On Sept 1, the Election Commission announced the schedule for by-election
in Rangpur seat on October 5 next using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
at all booths across the constituency.
Talking to BSS today, Rangpur Regional Election Officer and Returning
Officer for Rangpur-3 by-poll GM Sahatab Uddin said six candidates are
finally contesting in Rangpur-3 by-election with the symbols allocated for
them.
The contesting candidates are: JaPa-nominated candidate Rahgir Al Mahi Saad
Ershad (Plough), BNP-nominated candidate Rita Rahman (Sheaf of paddy),
independent candidate Hossain Mokbul Shahriar Asif (Motor Car), National
People Party-nominated candidate Shafiul Alam (Mango), Gano Front-nominated
candidate Muhammad Shahidullah (Fish) and Khelafat Majlish-nominated
candidate Tauhidur Rahman Mandal Raju (Wall Clock).
“A total of four lakh 41 thousand and 224 voters are eligible to cast
their votes at 1,023 booths of 175 polling centres in Rangpur-3 by-election,”
Sahatab said.
Of them, two lakh 20 thousand and 823 voters are male voters and two lakh
20 thousand 401 voters are female voters.
“A total of 3,244 election officials, including 175 Presiding Officers,
1,023 Assistant Presiding Officers and 2,046 Polling Officers will conduct
the voting process at all 1,023 boots in 175 polling centres in Rangpur-3
parliamentary constituency,” Sahatab said.
Meanwhile, the Election Commissioner has already completed training of the
elections officers for conducting the by-poll at all 1,023 booths in 175
poling centres, including 49 ‘important’ polling centres in the constituency.
“To ensure peaceful law and order, enforce election rules and prevention
of crimes, 18 executive magistrates, four judicial magistrates and one mobile
election tribunal led by a judicial magistrate are working in Rangpur-3
seat,” the Returning Officer said.
Besides, members of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-13), Border Guard
Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar-VDP and intelligence agencies both in uniforms and
plain clothes will be deployed to ensure security at all booths for
conducting peaceful by-poll.
“Electioneering for by-poll in Rangpur-3 seat will end from 9 am on October
3 (Thursday) and voting will begin from 9 am and continue till 5 pm on
October 5 (Saturday),” the Returning Officer said.
He said preparations have been completed for conducting the by-poll
peacefully at all 1,203 booths in 175 polling centres on October 5 and the
government has declared public holiday on that day in Rangpur-3 seat.
The law enforcement agencies will play their active roles so that the voters
could easily go the polling centres and cast their votes in peaceful and
festive atmosphere.
“The polling will be suspended if irregularities were reported and proved
at any polling centre during the by-poll in Rangpur-3 seat and stern legal
actions would be taken against the law-breaker responsible people,” the
Returning Officer said.
According to local observers, there might be a triangular contest among
JaPa-nominated candidate Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad (Plough), BNP-nominated
candidate Rita Rahman (Sheaf of paddy) and independent candidate Hossain
Mokbul Shahriar Asif (Motor Car).
Most of the contesting candidates and their supporters are campaigning now
seeking votes promising massive developments in Rangpur-3 seat while BNP
candidate is capitalising issue like restoring ‘democracy’ for establishing
‘rights’ of people.
Earlier on Monday last, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at a
meeting here expressed satisfaction over excellent preparations for
conducting the by-poll in Rangpur-3 seat peacefully without any possibility
of untoward incident.