The ruling Awami League has announced candidates for the upcoming bypolls to the three parliamentary constituencies of Dhaka-14, Sylhet-3 and Cumilla-5. While Aga Khan Mintu has been picked as the party candidate for Dhaka-14, Habibur Rahman has been named for Sylhet-3 and Abul Hashem Khan for Cumilla-5, the ruling party said in a release on Saturday. A total of 94 aspirants collected nomination papers from the Awami League to try their luck in the bypolls to the parliamentary constituencies. The Awami League said that 34 nomination papers were sold for Dhaka-14, 25 for Sylhet-3, and 35 for Cumilla-5. The bypolls are slated for July 28. The would-be candidates collected forms from Awami League’s President Sheikh Hasia's political office in Dhmonadhi maintaining Covid-19 health protocols, said the party. Also read: Awami League announces candidates for 27 local body polls The three parliamentary seats became vacant due to the deaths of the respective MPs. Sylhet-3 MP Mahmud Us Samad died on March 11, Dhaka-14 MP Aslamul Haque on April 4 and Comilla-5 MP Abdul Matin Khasru passed away on April 14.  Also read: By-elections: 94 aspirants collect nomination papers from the Awami League As voting in these parliamentary constituencies could not take place in the first 90 days due to the Covid-induced lockdown in the country, the bypolls are  slated for next month.

Amid the fear of novel coronavirus infection, three parliamentary constituencies -– Dhaka-10, Gaibandha-3 and Bagerhat-4 –- are going to by-elections on Saturday.   Over 10 lakh people are eligible for exercising their franchise in the three constituencies. The voting will begin at 9am and continue till 5pm without any break.   Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in Dhaka-10 while traditional ballot papers in Gaibandha-3 and Bagerhat-4.   Awami League and Jatiya Party are taking part in all the constituencies, but another major political party BNP is running in two constituencies – Dhaka-10 and Gaibandha-3.