Voting to Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Fulchhari upazila) constituency by-polls began at 8am today amid tight security as the polling will continue till 4pm without any break.

A public holiday has been announced in the constituency to enable the voters to exercise their rights to franchise, officials said.

A total of 339,743 voters will cast their votes at 952 booths of 145 centres in all the 17 unions of the upazilas to elect MP from the constituency, they said.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Oliur Rahman visited some polling centres in the morning to see the polling atmosphere.

During his visit, the voters expressed satisfaction over the polling atmosphere in the centres, saying they are exercising their rights to franchise peacefully.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel along with other law enforcers are patrolling the roads and important places of the constituencies so the voters can cast their votes without any difficulties, said police super Md Kamal Hossain.

As many as 17 executive magistrates and two judicial magistrates are on duty to hold the by-polls peacefully said, additional district magistrate Jahid Hasan Siddiquee.

Mobile and summary courts are also tasked with instantly trying the law violators during the polling, he also said.

A number of voters were seen to go to the polling centres to cast their votes in a festive mood.

Five candidates are contesting the election race, the district election officer said.

The candidates are Mahmud Hasan Ripon (Awami League), Zahangir Hossain (Bikolpo Dhara), Nahiduzzaman Nishat (Independent), Syed Mahbubur Rahman (Independent), and Golam Shaheed Ranzu (Jatiya Party).

But, a few days back, independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishat at a press conference in Bogura Press Club had announced to withdraw himself from the election race.

The constituency fell vacant due to the death of veteran parliamentarian and deputy speaker of the Jatiya Sangshad Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah.

Then, on 24 August, the Election Commission (EC) announced the by-polls to be held on 12 October.

According to the election schedule, the polling started on 12 October, but after noon, due to some irregularities, the voting was suspended.

 Later, the EC rescheduled the by-elections for 4 January.