Thakurgaon:The stage is set for the byelection in Thakurgaon-1 constituency tomorrow as administrative and security preparations have been completed for the polls in the parliamentary seat. This election follows the vacancy left by the previous lawmaker, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who was elected to the country's presidency.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Election Commission has validated the candidacy of all five contestants. The voter list includes 5, 16,138 individuals, with four identifying as transgender. The constituency, which includes Thakurgaon Sadar, Bhulli, and Ruhia upazilas, has a notable female voter majority, surpassing male voters by 1,184.
In adherence to electoral laws, campaigning activities, including processions and the use of loudspeakers, were halted on Tuesday at 8 AM, 48 hours before voting begins. Returning Officer Md. Kamrul Islam emphasized that all necessary preparations have been completed, focusing on ensuring voters can exercise their right without hindrance.
Officials reported that polling materials have been distributed to centers, and security personnel, including police, are ready for their election duties. The Election Commission has marked 115 of the 185 polling stations as "highly sensitive," deploying additional security to maintain vigilance.
The five candidates contesting are Mirza Faisal Amin of BNP, Delwar Hossain of Jamaat-e-Islami, Md. Abdul Alim Nizami of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Hussain Muhammad Omar Faruk of Bangladesh Congress, and Md. Khademul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh. Superintendent of Police Md. Belal Hossain assured that no party would receive special advantages and urged all parties to accept the election results.
Colonel Md. Suruj Mia of Border Guard Bangladesh confirmed that paramilitary troops are on alert to ensure voter safety. Special Response Battalion (SRB-13) officials have also enhanced security measures for the election.