By-polls swept by the blessed ones

Three Awami League candidates and two independents with AL blessings won the by-polls to five out of six constituencies held today.

The AL-backed candidate lost in Thakurgaon-3, where Jatiya Party contestant emerged winner.

The by-polls to Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4 and 6, Chapainawabganj-2 and 3, and Brahmanbaria-2 were held after the seats fell vacant following the resignations of six BNP lawmakers.

The unofficial results announced by returning officers showed that AL-blessed independent Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan won Brahmanbaria-2, bagging 44,916 votes, while his nearest rival, Jatiya Party candidate Abdul Hamid Bhasani, got 9,635 votes. Voting turnout was 16 percent.

In Bogura-4, AL-led grand alliance candidate and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader AKM Rejaul Karim Tansen won with 20,405 votes, defeating independent Ashraful Hosen Alom alias Hero Alom with 19,871 votes. A total of 23 percent votes were cast.

In Bogura-6, AL candidate Ragebul Ahsan won the by-election by getting 49,336 votes, and his nearest rival was independent Abdul Mannan who bagged 21864 votes. Turnout was 22 percent.

In Chapainawabganj-3, AL candidate Abdul Wadud won by bagging 69,638 votes, while his nearest rival was independent Samiul Haq, who got 55,980 votes. Voter turnout was 29 percent.

Chapainawabganj-2 saw AL candidate Ziaur Rahman winner with 94,928 votes while his nearest rival independent candidate Mohammad Ali Sarkar bagged 25,399 votes. Voter turnout was 35 percent.

In Thakurgaon-3, Jatiya Party candidate Hafiz Uddin Ahmed bagged 84,047 votes while his nearest contestant, independent Gopal Chandra Roy, got 50,309. While AL-led grand alliance candidate and Workers Party leader Yasin Ali stood third with 11,356 votes. A total of 38 percent voter turnout was seen there.

Elections were held amid a low voter turnout at all constituencies since the morning while sporadic clashes, chase and counter chase took place in Chapainawabganj.