Bangladesh
Comilla-7 Seat Awami League's Pran Gopal Dutta elected unopposed in Comilla-7 constituency
Dhaka, September 20: Awami League candidate Prof. Dr. Pran Gopal Dutta has been declared the winner in the by-election of Comilla-7 (Chandina) constituency. Returning Officer and Comilla Regional Election Officer Md Dulal Talukder confirmed the information on Monday (September 20) morning.
He said September 19 was the last day for withdrawal of nomination papers. On Saturday (September 17) morning, Monirul Islam of the Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP), the sole rival of Dr Pran Gopal Dutta, withdrew his nomination papers, leaving only dutta as the sole candidate.
Returning Officer Dulal Talukder further said that Pran Gopal Dutt has been declared the winner from this seat without contest through a public notice. The gazette will then be sent to the Election Commission Secretariat for publication.
He was also a candidate in the Eleventh Parliamentary Election held on 30 December 2018, but did not get party nomination. Pran Gopal Dutta is currently the senior vice-president of Comilla North District Awami League.
The Comilla-7 seat became vacant on July 30 after the death of five-time Member of Parliament and former Deputy Speaker Prof Md Ali Ashraf. The Election Commission has announced the election schedule on September 2, setting October 8 as the polling day. Till September 13, six candidates took the nomination form, but only four submitted.
After the verification and selection on September 14, the Returning Officer declared the nomination papers of the only independent candidate Saleh Siddiqui void. On September 16, Jatiya Party nominee Lutfur Reza Khokon withdrew his nomination paper. Monirul Islam of the Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP) also withdrew his nomination on September 18.
