By-elections to seven parliamentary constituencies vacated by four top leaders will be held on March 30, the Election Commission (EC) announced yesterday.
The constituencies are Kishoreganj-6, Bagerhat-1, Rangpur-3 and 6, Bogra-6 and 7, and Kurigram-2.
According to the polls schedule, the deadline for filing nomination papers is March 2 while the scrutiny of the nominations on March 5 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures on March 12.
Kishoreganj-6 constituency of Zillur Rahman fell vacant, as he was sworn-in as the president of the country on Thursday. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, opposition leader Khaleda Zia and Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad vacated two seats each as per the rules after they won from three constituencies each in the December 29 parliamentary elections.
Hasina vacated Bagerhat-1 and Rangpur-6 seats keeping Gopalganj-3 for herself, Khaleda vacated Bogra-6 and 7 seats keeping Feni-1 for herself and Ershad vacated Rangpur-3 and Kurigram-2 seats retaining Dhaka-17 for himself.
It will be the first ever by-election to be held under the newly formed AL-led government. Questions arose in the past over the credibility of by-elections held under different political governments because of unwanted interference.