Awami League MP Habibur Rahman Habib sitting beside party candidate in Bogra-6 (Sadar) Momtajuddin as the latter addresses a meeting in Bogra town, right, Joinal Abedin Faruq, Opposition Chief Whip, conducting a campaign for BNP candidate former speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar. PHOTO: STAR/BANGLAR CHOKH

Several lawmakers of Bogra district, both from ruling Awami League (AL) and main opposition BNP, are taking part in the campaign for their party candidates, ignoring Election Commission (EC) directives, reports our staff correspondent from Bogra.
AL central Organising Secretary Abdul Mannan, also lawmaker for Bogra-1 constituency, AL MP Habibur Rahman Habib (Bogra-5), BNP lawmakers advocate AKM Hafizur Rahman (Bogra-2) and Abdul Momin Talukder Khoka (Bogra-3) are among the violators of the EC rule.
Other acts of violating election rules, committed by candidates or their men, include pasting posters on walls of private and public buildings and conducting campaign after 8:00pm.
Earlier Election Commi-ssioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain told a meeting at Bogra Circuit House Auditorium on March 15 that the EC sent a letter to the Parliament Secretariat asking it to see that that local lawmakers do not to go to the constituencies at the time of by-election campaign.
Bogra Returning Office warned Momtajuddin, AL candidate for Bogra-6 (Sadar), not to violate election rules after the latter distributed government-funded Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) cards in Shakerkola, Lahiripara and Phapore unions in Bogra Sadar upazila during his recent election campaign.
Moulana Anisur Rahman, principal of Domunpukur Madrasa in Shahjahanpur upazila, said over cell phone yesterday that Abdul Mannan, lawmaker from Bogra-1 (Sonatola-Saria-kandi), visited the institution and attended a meeting with teachers and local people on Sunday noon. The lawmaker also attended a cultural programme along with Momtajuddin at Bogra Zila Parishad Auditorium on March 21.
Habubur Rahman Habib, lawmaker for Bogra-5 (Dhunat-Sherpur) constituency, attended an election campaign in favour of AL candidate Momtajuddin at Muktijoddha Sangsad office in Bogra town on Saturday.
The same day, BNP lawmaker advocate AKM Hafizur Rahman (Bogra-2 -- Shibganj) and Abdul Momin Talukder Khoka (Bogra-3 -- Dupchanchia-Adamdighi) attended a public meeting at Altafunnesa playground as part of election campaign for former speaker barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, BNP candidate for Bogra-6 constituency.
Khoka attended another public meeting in favour of BNP candidate for Bogra-7 barrister Moudud Ahmed at Tarafshartaj Madrasa in Gabtoli upazila of Bogra district on March 27.
Meanwhile, additional security measures have been taken for 94 of the 162 polling centres under two constituencies in Bogra distrct, as law enforcement agencies and local election office have identified them as what they say 'important' ahead of the by-election.
The remaining polling centres under Bogra-6 (Sadar) and Bogra-7 (Gabtoli-Shajahanpur) constituencies are considered 'normal'.
To ensure security at all polling centres during the election, 1500-strong forces will be deployed, Bogra Superintendent of Police Md Akram Hossain said.
Our Rangpur Corres-pondent adds: Eleven candidates are contesting from Kurigram-2, Rangpur-3 and Rangpur-6 constituencies in April 2 by-election.
AL nominee grand alliance candidate Abul Kalam Azad, BNP candidate Noor Mohammad Mondol and Gano Front leader Abed Ali are contesting in Rangpur-6 (Pirganj) constituency.
In Rangpur-3 (Sadar upa-zila), Jatiya Party Presidium Member Raushan Ershad, BNP central committee member and district unit President Rahim Uddin Varosa, Khelafat Majlish leader Sirajul Islam and Gano Front leader Krishak Sadek are the contestants.
In Kurigram-2, four candidates are in the poll race. They are AL leader Zafar Ali, Golam Habib Dulal of JP, Tajul Islam Choudhury of BNP and Golam Mostafa of Islami Shash-antanra Andolon.