Voting to go ahead in seats Khaleda Zia was contesting: EC

Returning officers say the electoral process will not be halted as Khaleda died before the scrutiny of nominations was completed

Election officials say voting will go ahead in the three constituencies where former prime minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia had submitted nomination papers following her death on Tuesday.

Returning officers said the electoral process would not be halted because Khaleda died before the scrutiny of nominations was completed.

Khaleda had filed nomination papers in Feni-1, Bogura-7 and Dinajpur-3 for the 13th parliamentary election. More than 2,500 candidates have submitted nomination papers nationwide across the country’s 300 constituencies.

The scrutiny of nominations is currently under way and will continue until 4 January. Candidates may appeal decisions before withdrawals close on Jan 20, with electoral symbols due to be allocated on Jan 21.

Monday was the final day for submitting nominations. Election officials said five candidates filed papers in Bogura-7, while 10 candidates each filed in Dinajpur-3 and Feni-1.

The BNP had earlier said it had put forward alternative candidates in all three seats, citing Khaleda Zia’s ill health.

Khaleda died around 6am on Tuesday, before the scrutiny process began. Under electoral law, an election may be cancelled and rerun if a valid candidate dies after nominations are finalised. However, returning officers said this provision does not apply in this case.

Bogura Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md Toufiqur Rahman said Khaleda's nomination would not proceed through scrutiny, but the overall election would continue.

“As multiple candidates from the same party have filed nominations and symbols have not yet been allocated, the electoral process in Bogura-7 will not be affected,” he said.

Similar assurances were given by election officials in the other constituencies.

Feni Returning Officer Monira Haque said voting would continue in Feni-1, noting that one BNP candidate would be finalised in line with electoral rules.

Dinajpur Returning Officer Md Rafiqul Islam said the nomination scrutiny process was continuing as scheduled, adding: “There is no problem with the election process here.”