By-election in Papul’s seat 11 April

The by-election to the Lakshmipur-2 parliamentary seat – previously held by independent lawmaker Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul – will be held on 11 April.

Papul's seat was declared vacant after he was convicted in Kuwait for human trafficking.

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker announced the election schedules at the EC Building Wednesday.

According to the schedules, the last date for nomination paper submission is 18 March, while nomination paper selection will take place on 19 March. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is 24 March.

According to the EC secretary, electronic voting machines (EVM) will be used in the by-poll.

Earlier on 22 February, the Parliament Secretariat issued a gazette notification regarding the cancellation of Papul's parliament membership on the grounds of moral turpitude. According to the notification, Papul's post has been vacant since 28 January 2021.

On 11 April, polls will also be held at 371 union parishads in the first phase. Of them, 30 union parishads will cast the ballot through the EVM.

On the day, 11 municipalities will also go to polls in the sixth phase of the municipality elections. All 11 municipalities will use EVM for voting.

Candidates of union parishad and municipality polls will have to submit nomination papers by 18 March, while the nomination paper selection will take place on 19 March. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is 24 March.