Suspended Gaibandha by-polls to be held by 15 January: EC Rasheda

Election Commissioner Rasheda Sultana on Monday said the suspended by-polls to Gaibandha-5 constituency will be arranged again by 15 January.

"We will announce schedule at the end of this week," she said while talking to journalists at the Election Commission Office in the capital.  

The 12 October election in the parliamentary seat was postponed on the midway as the commission found mass irregularities in one-third of the centres.

After that, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal formed a three-member investigation committee to identify those involved in the irregularities. In a recent breakthrough, the CEC said action will be taken against 134 polling officials for the reported irregularities and negligence in duties.

On the chance of appointing the officials further, Rasheda Sultana said, "There is no chance to bring those who are guilty. Even laws do not allow that."

The polls will take place in 145 centres this time and there is no chance to increase candidates, she added.