The Election Commission is going to take action against a total of 134 officials for irregularities during the Gaibandha-5 by-polls held on October 12.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KaziHabibulAwal made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing the press at the NirbachanBhaban in Agargaon of Dhaka.
CEC KaziHabibulAwal said, “A total of 134 election officials will face departmental actions for their irregularities during the Gaibandha-5 by-polls.” The officials who have been found guilty of "widespread malpractices" include – additional deputy commissioners, returning officers, presiding officers, and field-level members of law enforcement agencies, said the CEC.
He, however, said that the commission did not find any complaints of irregularities against the Gaibandha DC, SP and participating candidates.
"The EC, thus, did not recommend any steps against them," he added.
The CEC also informed that a new polling date for the Gaibandha by-election will be announced next week.
The commission suspended the by-polls on election day (12 October) following several reports of irregularities and vote rigging.
It also extended the deadline for holding any fresh election to the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat by three months, till 20 January 2023.
Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on 22 July 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold an election for the parliamentary seat by 20 October, 2022.