Sherpur-3: Voting is not taking place today

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has announced that voting in the Sherpur-3 constituency, encompassing the areas of Sreebardi and Jhenaigati, will not take place today, as scheduled. The decision comes following the unfortunate death of one of the candidates contesting the 13th National Parliamentary elections. A new polling schedule will be announced at a later date.

The Secretary of the Election Commission, Akhtar Ahmed, confirmed the development and explained the legal provisions that govern such situations. “According to electoral law, if a validly nominated candidate passes away before polling day, the election in that constituency must be postponed or annulled,” he stated.

The legal framework is detailed in the Representation of the People Order (RPO). Under this order, if a candidate dies, the Returning Officer of the constituency is obliged to suspend all electoral proceedings for that seat. The Election Commission will then issue a new schedule for the election.

Importantly, candidates who had already been declared valid in their nominations prior to the postponement will not be required to resubmit their nomination papers or pay the security deposit again. However, the new schedule allows any eligible individual who wishes to contest to submit fresh nomination papers within the stipulated timeframe. This ensures that the electoral process remains inclusive and adheres to legal requirements.

The Sherpur-3 seat is considered significant in the national elections, covering a diverse electorate across Sreebardi and Jhenaigati upazilas. Political observers note that the postponement may slightly alter campaign dynamics, as parties recalibrate strategies to accommodate the new timetable.

The Election Commission emphasised that the integrity of the electoral process is paramount and that all procedures will strictly follow the RPO to ensure fairness and transparency. Voters in the Sherpur-3 constituency will be informed of the new polling date through official channels once it is finalised.

This postponement marks one of the few instances in the current election cycle where unforeseen circumstances have directly impacted the polling schedule, highlighting the Commission’s commitment to both legal compliance and voter representation.