Dhaka: Ruling Awami League on Tuesday picked Golam Mostafa Ahmed, general secretary of its Sundarganj upazila unit, as the party’s candidate for the Gaibndha-1 by-election.

The decision was taken at the AL Parliamentary Board (ALPB) meeting held at PM's official official residence Ganobhaban with ALPB President Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The by-election to the Gaibandha-1 (Sundarganj) constituency, which fell vacant following the killing of Awami League MP Manjurul Islam Liton, will be held on March 22 next.

The Election Commission (EC) on February 5 announced the by-polls schedule for the parliamentary seat-29.

According to the schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is February 19 while the date for scrutiny of nomination papers is February 22 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 1.

The Gaibandha-1 constituency is comprised of 15 unions and one municipality of Sundarganj upazila.

A total of 303,853 voters — 146,681 males and 156,172 females — will be allowed to exercise their franchise in the by-election.