National

Polls to Naogaon-2 postponed after death of candidate

The election to Naogaon-2 constituency (Patnitala and Dhamoirhat) has been postponed after the death of an independent candidate.

As a result, the 12th parliamentary polls will be held in 299 seats on January 7.

The returning officer concerned took the decision and a new schedule for the constituency will be announced later, Ashok Kumar Debnath, additional secretary of the Election Commission (EC), told Jago News on Friday.

Earlier, Aminul Haque, an independent candidate of Naogaon-2 constituency died early Friday while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in the capital Dhaka.

He first bought Awami League's nomination for the seat to contest in the national election but did not get the ruling party ticket.

Later, he submitted nomination form to compete in the polls as an independent candidate but the EC cancelled his candidacy citing different inconsistencies.

Subsequently, he filed a writ petition in the High Court to get back his candidacy and the HC declared his candidacy valid on Wednesday.

On Thursday, he was allocated the Eagle, an electoral symbol, from the office of Naogaon deputy commissioner and returning officer. But a day after, he died.

MOS/SU