Voting to continue in Khaleda's three constituencies: EC

In spite of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's death day (30 December), voting will continue in three constituencies in Bogura, Feni and Dinajpur where nomination papers were submitted on her behalf, Senior Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said.

Monday was the final day for submitting nomination papers. Khaleda passed away a day later. 

Nomination papers have been submitted in her name in the Feni-1, Bogura-7 and Dinajpur-3 constituencies. Multiple BNP candidates also submitted nomination papers in these constituencies.

As scrutiny of the nomination papers has not yet been completed, the final list of valid candidates has not been finalised.

Asked about the matter, Senior Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said that since the law states that the schedule will be cancelled if a valid candidate dies, Khaleda Zia's death will not affect the current schedule because she had not yet become a valid candidate. 

He added that considering Khaleda Zia's condition, the BNP had kept alternative candidates in her constituencies. Therefore, in his view, there would be no problem.

Alternative candidates for Khaleda Zia

The BNP has kept "alternative candidates" in Bogura-7, Dinajpur-3 and Feni-1 constituencies. 

In Bogura-7, Gabtali upazila BNP president Morshed Milton submitted his nomination paper as an alternative candidate.

In Dinajpur-3 (Sadar) – the constituency where BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was declared the party candidate – Syed Jahangir Alam submitted his nomination papers as an additional candidate. He is the joint organising secretary of the BNP Rangpur divisional committee and three-time mayor of Dinajpur municipality.

In the Feni-1 constituency, Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP Convener Rafiqul Islam Mojnu is among the 10 candidates who filed nomination papers before the deadline, appearing as an alternative BNP nominee for the seat.