The commission had postponed the by-polls originally scheduled for Mar 29 when the government had announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the virus. As the lockdown has ended, the EC on Saturday decided to hold the polls. The Bogura seat fell vacant after the death of MP Abdul Mannan on Jan 18, while Jashore MP Ismat Ara Sadique died on Jan 21. The EC is bound by the constitution to hold by-polls to vacant seats within 90 days and gets another 90 days in case of a natural disaster. The 180-day window to hold the by-polls is closing on Jul 15.

Source: bd News24 July 04, 2020 14:48 UTC