Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam has said that the by-election of Laxmipur-2 parliamentary constituency may be held before Ramadan. However, the final decision will be taken by the Election Commission (EC).
She told reporters at her office at the Election Building in the capital's Agargaon on Tuesday (February 23).
Kabita Khanam said the Parliament Secretariat has declared Laxmipur-2 seat vacant. They received the letter on Monday (February 22). The commission will meet soon to discuss the election in that constituency. Only then will the final decision be made.
Mohammad Shahidul Islam Papul, an MP from Laxmipur-2 constituency, who was convicted in a Kuwaiti court, had his MP post canceled. On Monday, the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat issued a notification declaring the seat vacant. It said the seat has been vacant since January 28.
According to the constitution, if a parliamentary seat is declared vacant, there is an obligation to hold a by-election in that seat within the next 90 days. As such, by-elections will have to be held in that constituency by April 28. The holy month of Ramadan will start from April 13 subject to the sighting of the moon.
In this context, Kabita Khanam said, ‘Since fasting is ahead. Fasting must be considered. No election is usually given during Ramadan. However, if the 90-day period has elapsed since the election, there is a possibility that the election will be held before Ramadan. The commission will take a final decision in this regard.