Dhaka 17, Chattogram 10 by-polls: EC to accept nomination papers online
By-elections to Dhaka 17 and Chattogram 10 will be held on 17 and 30 July, respectively
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to take nomination papers online of the candidates of the upcoming by-polls to two constituencies — Dhaka 17 and Chattogram 10 — as part of a plan to introduce smart election activities.
After the 20th meeting of the Commission on Thursday, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam made the disclosure to the reporters while publishing the schedule for Chattogram 10 by-elections.
He said there is a rule in The Representation of the People Order (RPO) which says candidates can submit nomination papers both physically and online. In line with that, the candidates of both constituencies (Dhaka 17 and Chattogram 10) can submit their nomination forms online this time.
To this end, the election commission developed an application. Except for scrutinising the nomination papers, candidates will not need to come to the commission office physically, he added.
"Through this initiative, we are inspiring people to take online services as Bangladesh heading to be smart from digital one," he added.
The EC on 1 June announced that the by-election to the Dhaka 17 constituency, which fell vacant after the death of film actor and member of parliament Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque, will be held on 17 July.
Chattogram 10 by-polls through EVM on 30 July
By-poll to the Chattogram 10 constituency — which became vacant with the death of former Awami League minister and lawmaker Afsarul Ameen — will take place on 30 July, announced the Election Commission on Thursday.
EC Secretary Jahangir Alam said on 30 July by-polls to Chattogram 10 will take place through Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
He said the last date for submission of nomination papers is 4 July, selection of nomination papers will be on 6 July, appeals will be filed from 7 to 9 July, appeals will be disposed of on 10 to 11 July, last date for candidature withdrawal is 12 July, and allotment of symbols is on 13 July.
EVMs will be used in all centres and there will be CC cameras, he added.