Staff Correspondent

BNP yesterday announced SM Jahangir as its candidate for Dhaka-18 by-elections, and Selim Reza for Sirajganj-1 by-polls.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP’s secretary general, made the announcement at a press briefing at party chairperson’s Gulshan office.

The party has observed that that both by-polls and parliamentary elections make no difference; no voting takes place, only candidacies are announced, he said.

Fakhrul said people might then question why the party is joining the polls. “We believe in democracy. We believe that election is the only way to shift power peacefully.”

Fakhrul said his party does not want to give any space to the “fascist” government. “That’s why we are participating in the election. We believe that if Election Commission works properly, results would project the people’s verdict.”

The by-elections will be held on November 12. As per schedule, the deadline for nomination submission is October 13. They will be scrutinised on October 15. October 22 has been set as the last date for candidacy withdrawal.

The Sirajganj-1 seat fell vacant following death of Awami League presidium member and former health minister Mohammad Nasim on June 13 and Dhaka-18 fell vacant after death of former home minister Sahara Khatun on July 9.