Dhaka-5, Naogaon-6 by-polls on October 17

By-elections to two parliamentary constituencies -- Dhaka-5 and Naogaon-6 -- will be held on October 17, according to a schedule declared by the Election Commission today.

As per the schedule the deadline for submission of nomination papers is September 17, the date for scrutiny of nomination papers is September 20 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is September 27.

EC's Senior Secretary Md Alamgir announced the by-elections schedule for the two constituencies at a press conference at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital this afternoon.

The by-elections will be held from 9:00am to 5:00pm through electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead of traditional ballot papers.

The Dhaka regional election officer and Naogaon district election officer will act as returning officers for Dhaka-5 and Noagaon-6 by-elections respectively.

The Dhaka-5 seat fell vacant following the death of Awami League MP Habibur Rahman Mollah on May 6 while the Nagaon-6 constituency became vacant after the demise of ruling party lawmaker Israfil Alam on July 27.

The Election Commission has a legal obligation to arrange a parliamentary by-election within 90 days after the constituency concerned falls vacant.