The Election Commission (EC) has officially announced that the by-elections for the Sherpur-3 and Bogura-6 parliamentary constituencies will be held on April 9, 2026.
EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed shared the schedule on Tuesday during a press briefing held at the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon, following the conclusion of the 13th National Parliamentary Elections held on February 12.
The Sherpur-3 (Jhenaigati-Nalitabari) seat remained contested after the original poll was stayed due to the death of Nuruzzaman Badal, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate. Mr. Badal passed away on February 3 while undergoing treatment for kidney complications, triggering a mandatory suspension under the Representation of the People Order (RPO).
In Bogura-6, the vacancy arose after BNP Chairman and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who secured victories in both Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17, officially opted to retain his seat in the capital. He submitted a formal declaration to the Commission on February 16, leading to the Bogura seat being declared vacant.
The Commission has established a strict timeline for candidates and administrative bodies to ensure a smooth transition. According to the announced schedule, the deadline for nomination submission is set for March 2, followed by the scrutiny of nominations on March 5. An appeal filing period will be open from March 6 to March 10, with all appeals to be disposed of by March 11.
Candidates wishing to withdraw their candidacy must do so by March 14, after which symbols will be allocated on March 15. Official polling will take place on April 9, with voting hours scheduled from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed clarified that while the general election featured a concurrent referendum in some regions, such a measure is unnecessary for the Sherpur-3 constituency under the current circumstances.
Director of Public Relations Ruhul Amin Mallick confirmed that logistical preparations, including security coordination with law enforcement and training for presiding officers, are already finalized.
The Commission is also making special provisions for postal ballots to accommodate government officials on duty and expatriate voters. Political parties have already begun the process of selecting new representatives as they look toward the April 9 vote to complete the parliamentary lineup before the upcoming Pahela Baishakh celebrations.
