The Election Commission (EC) has extended the time limit for holding the Gaibandha-5 by-polls, which was halted amid mass irregularities on October 12.

As a result, the commission can hold the by-polls in this constituency by January 20 next year, according to a press release signed by Joint Secretary of EC Secretariat SM Asaduzzaman, received here today.

The Gaibandha-5 seat fell vacant after the death of former lawmaker and deputy speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia on July 23 this year.

As per the section 123 (4) of the Constitution, if a seat falls vacant, it is mandatory to fulfill the vacant seat within 90 days through an election.

According the Constitution, time limit for holding the by-polls will end on October 20. It is not possible to hold the election within timeframe due to any unavoidable crisis situation after halting the by-polls.

So, the deadline for holding the by-polls has been fixed within January 20, 2023 by the chief election commissioner.

Several by-elections were held in this manner during the COVID-19 pandemic, the release added.

In the first move of its kind seen in Bangladesh’s democratic history, the EC suspended voting around four hours after it began at 8am on October 12 as the environment at polling centres “went out of control” amid allegations of vote rigging.

According to Section 91 (Ka), 1972 of the Representation of the People Order, if the commission finds that an election is not taking place fairly, it can stop election in some or the entire constituency, the CEC said as he clarified the reasons behind the suspension.

Gaibandha-5 consists of 10 unions of Saghata upazila and seven unions of Phulchhari upazila.