DHAKA: Counting of votes began as by-polls of Rangpur-3 constituency (Sadar upazila) constituency for the 11th parliament ended Saturday (Oct 05).

Around 4.42 lakh people were expected to exercise their franchise during the polls that began at 9:00am and continued till 5:00pm without any break.

The parliamentary seat fell vacant as HM Ershad, Jatiya Party chairman and also opposition leader of the House, died on July 14.

Six candidates are vying for the seat. According to voters, it will be a close contest among Jatiya Party’s Rahgir Al Mahi alias Saad Ershad, BNP’s Rita Rahman and independent candidate Hossain Mokbul Shahriar Asif.

The other contestants are – NPP’s Shafiul Alam (mango), Gano Front’s Kazi M Shahidullah Bayazid (fish) and Khelafat Majlish’s Towhidur Rahman Mandal (wall clock).

The ruling Awami League withdrew its candidate in support of the Jatiya Party contestant.

BDST: 1732 HRS, OCT 05, 2019

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