Thakurgaon-1 By-Election Voting Continues Amid Rival Allegations

The Thakurgaon-1 by-election is under way on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Polling began at 8:00 am and will run until 4:00 pm in Thakurgaon Sadar, Ruhia and Bhulli upazilas. Results were not out when this report was prepared in the early afternoon, Dhaka time. This article therefore covers confirmed facts and clearly labelled claims only.
(Source: The Financial Express)

Thakurgaon-1 By-Election: Key Facts

Voting is taking place at 185 polling centres with 989 booths. According to the Election Commission (EC), the constituency has 516,138 voters. Some reports give slightly different totals, such as 516,140 and 515,853, so the final figure may vary by outlet. Of the centres, 113 are in Thakurgaon Sadar, 33 in Ruhia and 39 in Bhulli.
(Sources: The Financial Express, The Business Standard, Bangladesh Post)

Why Voters Are Going to the Polls Again

The seat fell vacant after former MP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected president and took the oath of office in August. In the 12 February general election, he won this seat with 238,836 votes. Turnout in that election was 76.49 percent.
(Sources: The Daily Star, Daily Sokaler Shomoy, The Financial Express)

By-elections often draw fewer voters. Reports note that turnout is generally lower in by-polls, and the final figure will be known only after polling ends.
(Source: bdnews24.com)

Who Is Contesting the By-Election

Five candidates are in the race. BNP-backed Mirza Faisal Amin uses the “sheaf of paddy” symbol, and Delwar Hossain of the Jamaat-led alliance uses the “scales”. Faisal Amin is the younger brother of President Alamgir. He is also the district BNP president and a former municipal mayor.
(Sources: The Daily Star, bdnews24.com, The Business Standard)

The other candidates are Khademul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Abdul Alim Nizami of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and Omar Farukh of Bangladesh Congress. Meanwhile, the Awami League is not visibly taking part, although its supporters form a large voting bloc.
(Sources: The Daily Star, The Financial Express)

Six nominations were valid at first. Later, BNP leader Obaidullah Masud withdrew. He told reporters that he acted after a request from the Prime Minister’s Office, according to a local report. We have not seen a response to that statement.
(Source: Dhaka Times)

Security Arrangements for the By-Election

Officials say they have put heavy security in place. The EC deployed 21 BGB platoons, 251 SRB members, 2,272 police and 2,405 Ansar members. In addition, 115 of the 185 centres are rated vulnerable, and drones and body-worn cameras are in use. The district administration also barred outsiders from the constituency from 27 October to 30 October, with exceptions for residents, voters and authorised officials.
(Sources: The Financial Express, Daily Sun, Bangladesh Post)

The EC set up a monitoring cell at its headquarters to follow the situation.
(Source: The Financial Express)

Allegations and Responses in the Thakurgaon-1 By-Election

Complaints started before polling day. The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance wrote to the chief election commissioner about code violations, voter intimidation and doubts over the local administration’s neutrality. It also demanded army deployment. The EC replied that there was no cause for concern and that it was monitoring the situation.
(Sources: The Business Standard, The Daily Star)

Delwar Hossain also claimed on 28 October that money was being handed to voters. BNP’s chief election agent Paygam Ali rejected the claim. He said locals had detained a Jamaat worker in Balia union with cash and voter slips. Neither side’s claim has been independently verified.
(Sources: Amar Sangbad, Ajker Patrika)

On polling day, Delwar Hossain said the presiding officer at his centre wore an ID card without a photo. He raised a concern about possible proxies. He also said he had heard complaints from one or two centres that Jamaat polling agents were thrown out, and that he was checking. However, a photo-less card does not prove that an officer is not genuine. We found no EC reply to this specific point.
(Source: bdnews24.com)

By contrast, the returning officer, Kamrul Islam, said voting was peaceful at all 185 centres and that no complaints had reached him. Separately, nine polling officials were withdrawn on 28 October after allegations that they supported the ruling party. Another report says 12 assistant presiding officers were replaced after complaints and reports of illness.
(Sources: The Financial Express, The Business Standard)

Faisal Amin made his own claim. He said agents of the green coconut symbol were acting for Jamaat inside centres. This claim is also unverified.
(Source: Zoom Bangla)

Turnout and What Happens Next

Early turnout looked lower than expected, according to a morning report. Faisal Amin said the weather was somewhat unfavourable but expected more voters later. As a result, no one can call the final turnout yet.
(Sources: Kaler Kantho, The Business Standard)

Delwar Hossain said he would accept any result if the vote is fair and impartial. Counting starts after polls close at 4:00 pm. Readers should wait for official results from the EC before drawing conclusions.
(Source: bdnews24.com)

FAQs on the Thakurgaon-1 By-Election

Q1. When is the Thakurgaon-1 by-election?
It is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Polling runs from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Q2. Why is a by-election needed?
The seat became vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected president in August 2026.

Q3. Which areas does the constituency cover?
It covers Thakurgaon Sadar, Ruhia and Bhulli upazilas. It has 22 unions and one municipality.

Q4. Who are the main candidates?
Mirza Faisal Amin of BNP and Delwar Hossain, backed by the Jamaat-led alliance, are the two main contenders. Three other candidates are also running.

Q5. Have the results been announced?
Not at the time of writing. Please check the Election Commission for official results.