Polling stations opened their doors early this morning for the Bogra-6 by-election and the Sherpur-3 general election. In accordance with the official schedule, the ballot casting commenced at 7:30 am today, Thursday, and is slated to continue without interruption until 4:30 pm.
Table of Contents
The Political Landscape in Bogra-6
The vacancy in Bogra-6 arose following the political maneuvering of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. During the 13th National Election held on 12 February, Mr Rahman secured a resounding victory in two constituencies: Bogra-6 and Dhaka-17. In compliance with constitutional requirements regarding dual seats, he elected to retain the Dhaka-17 seat, thereby triggering this by-election in Bogra.
The constituency, which encompasses 11 unions of Bogra Sadar Upazila and 21 wards of the municipality, sees a tripartite battle for dominance. The BNP has fielded Rezaul Karim (Badsha), the current president of the Bogra District BNP and a former municipal mayor, running under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. He faces competition from Abidur Rahman (Sohel) of Jamaat-e-Islami and Al Amin Talukdar representing the Bangladesh Development Party.
The Contest in Sherpur-3
Meanwhile, the election in Sherpur-3—covering Sreebordi and Jhenaigati Upazilas—was previously postponed following the untimely demise of the original Jamaat candidate, Nuruzzaman Badal. The party has since nominated his younger brother, Masudur Rahman, to contest the seat. He faces a challenge from the BNP’s Mahmudul Huq (Rubel) and Mizanur Rahman of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASD).
Early reports from the Tatihati Government Primary School centre in Sreebordi suggest a calm but slow start. Presiding Officer Mrinal Kanti Das noted that while the initial morning turnout was modest, expectations remain high for a surge in voters as the day progresses.
Constituency Profiles at a Glance
| Feature | Bogra-6 (By-election) | Sherpur-3 (General) |
| Reason for Election | Seat vacated by Tarique Rahman | Postponed due to candidate death |
| Total Voters | Information Pending | 402,029 |
| Male Voters | N/A | 205,066 |
| Female Voters | N/A | 208,304 |
| Third Gender Voters | N/A | 7 |
| Polling Centres | 140+ (Estimated) | 128 |
| Key Candidates | Rezaul Karim (BNP), Abidur Rahman (Jamaat) | Mahmudul Huq (BNP), Masudur Rahman (Jamaat) |
Voting Logistics and Security
Security has been bolstered across both regions to ensure a peaceful democratic process. In Sherpur-3, where the electorate exceeds 400,000, 128 polling stations have been established to accommodate the high volume of voters. Local authorities have emphasised that despite the quiet start in some rural pockets, the administrative machinery is fully prepared for the midday rush.
As the sun rises over the northern districts, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on these two pivotal contests, which serve as a litmus test for party popularity following the recent general elections.