Five-time MP, 13 other candidates lose deposits in Thakurgaon

A total of 14 out of 20 candidates forfeited their security deposits in the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election in three constituencies of Thakurgaon district, including a five-time former member of parliament.

The development has sparked discussion in the local political arena.

According to election officials, under electoral rules, a candidate must secure at least one-eighth (12.5%) of the total valid votes cast in a constituency to retain their deposit. Those who fail to reach this threshold lose their security deposit.

In Thakurgaon-1 (Sadar) constituency, where three candidates contested, Khademul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh lost his deposit after failing to secure the required percentage of votes.

In Thakurgaon-2, which comprises Baliadangi, Haripur and part of Ranishankail, five out of seven candidates forfeited their deposits. The candidates include Faruk Hasan of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Nurun Nahar Begum of Jatiya Party, Nahid Rana of AB Party, Rezaul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Sahab Uddin Ahmed of Communist Party of Bangladesh.

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In Thakurgaon-3, which includes Pirganj and Ranishankail, eight out of ten candidates lost their deposits. Among them is five-time former MP Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who contested as a nominee of the Jatiya Party.

Other candidates who forfeited their deposits are Mamunur Rashid of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Al Amin of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Abul Kalam Azad of Supreme Party, Prabhat Samir Shahjahan Alam of Communist Party of Bangladesh, Kamala Kanta Roy of Bangladesh Minority Party, SM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh Muslim League, and independent candidate Asha Moni.

District Election Officer Waliullah said that candidates receiving less than one-eighth of the total valid votes automatically lose their deposits.

He noted that, except for those who contested with the “Sheaf of Paddy” and “Scales” symbols, the deposits of most other candidates in the district were not refundable.

The results indicate that candidates from smaller and newer political parties struggled to make a significant impact against major political forces. The loss of deposit by an experienced five-time former lawmaker has added a new dimension to the political landscape of Thakurgaon, reflecting shifting voter dynamics in the district.