By-election to reserved women’s seat on Nov 12

The Election Commission (EC) has scheduled November 12 for the by-election to a reserved women’s seat in the 13th parliament vacated by BNP lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Misty following allegations of her involvement in an attack, looting and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur, Dhaka.

The EC announced the election schedule on Monday. A notification signed by EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was issued in this regard.

According to the schedule, nomination papers must be submitted to the returning officer at the Election Commission building by October 26. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 27, while the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is November 1.

EC Joint Secretary Moin Uddin Khan has been appointed returning officer, while Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain will serve as assistant returning officer.

Ferdousi Ahmed Misty resigned from her parliamentary seat on October 1 after allegations surfaced over her involvement in the attack, looting and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur. The Parliament Secretariat subsequently declared the seat vacant through a gazette notification.

BNP candidates are expected to contest the by-election.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Machud earlier told the media that, under the law, the vacant seat would go to the party or alliance to which it had been allocated.

If more than one candidate contests the seat, a vote will be held. If there is only one candidate, they will be elected unopposed.