DHAKA, Feb 24, 2021 (BSS) – Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam today
said by-election to Laxmipur-2 constituency could be held before the upcoming
Holy month of Ramadan.
“The Parliament Secretariat on Monday issued a gazette notification
declaring the Laxmipur-2 seat vacant. The Election Commission (EC) will hold
a meeting soon regarding the by-polls and then decision will be taken in this
regard,” she told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban, Agargaon, in the capital.
Kabita Khanam said the holy Ramadan is approaching and it would be
considered in holding the by-polls.
“Generally, no election is held during the Ramadan. As per the
Constitutional obligation, a by-election must be held within 90 days a seat
gets vacant. If the Laxmipur-2 by-election is held after the Ramadan, it will
exceed the 90-day obligation,” she added.
That is why, the election commissioner said, there is possibility of
holding the Laxmipur-2 by-election before the upcoming Ramadan but the
Commission will take final decision to this end.
The Laxmipur-2 seat was declared vacant as a Kuwaiti court recently
sentenced the lawmaker of the seat Mohammad Shahid Islam Papul to four years
in prison on charges of illegal human trafficking.
On Monday, the Parliament Secretariat issued a gazette notification to
this end, which came into effect from January 28 this year.