DHAKA, Nov 13, 2023 (BSS) - Due to irregularities, the Election Commission (EC) has decided to cancel the polling of three centres of the by-elections recently held in Laxmipur-3 and Brahmanbaria-2 constituencies by issuing a gazette notification.

Talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon today, EC Secretariat Secretary Jahangir Alam said there were some irregularities in the by-elections of Laxmipur-3 and Brahmanbaria-2 constituencies, which were revealed in media.
 
In the light of allegation of irregularities, the EC conducted a probe into it through the concerned returning officer, the superintendent of police and the deputy commissioner, he said.
 
Jahangir said the commission has received the probe report, while some photos of vote irregularities in a polling booth of South Khagria Government Primary School centre in Laxmipur published in media.
 
According to the probe report, irregularities were found in that centre and two people involved in voting irregularities were identified, and a case was filed against them as per the Representation of the People Order (RPO), he said.

In addition, the EC secretary said, instructions have been given to take action against the presiding officer, assistant presiding officer and assistant polling officer, who were in charge of the centres, as per the Election Officers Special Act, 1991.

Irregularities were found in two centres of Brahmanbaria-2, he said, adding that there is no need to hold voting in all the three centres of Laxmipur-3 and Brahmanbaria-2.
 
About the schedule of the next parliamentary elections, he said the schedule will be announced this week as per the pre-announced decision of the EC.