The Election Commission has suspended the by-poll to the Gaibandha-5 constituency over allegations of irregularities.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced the suspension of the polls around 2:30pm on Wednesday, just a few hours before the voting was supposed to end.
The voting began at 8pm.
The CEC had earlier called the situation in the area ‘out of control’.
Numerous violations of the election code of conduct were reported and CCTV camera footage monitored by the election watchdog showed people entering unauthorised parts of polling centres and casting illegal ballots.
Awal said: “People entered restricted rooms illegally and cast ballots by breaking the law.”
Action will be taken against those involved, he said.
The Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Fulchhari) constituency fell vacant following the death of Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah on Jul 23.
Although the by-election is of a relatively small scale, the EC took all measures to ensure a fair electoral process, the CEC said.
Five candidates entered the race for the Gaibandha-5 seat in parliament. Earlier in the day, four others candidates expect the Awami League backed aspirant boycotted the poll alleging rigging.
MS
