Dhaka, July 11 -- The Election Commission (EC) is seeking to regain its mandate to scrap voting across an entire parliamentary constituency in the event of large-scale irregularities, ahead of Bangladesh's 13th general election.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin shared the commission's position during the eighth meeting at the Nirbachan Bhaban, or Election Building, in Dhaka's Agargaon on Thursday.

After the meeting, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah briefed the media at 5pm.

"We had the authority to halt voting in an entire constituency. That was removed. We now only have the power to cancel votes at specific centres," he said.

The issue ties back to a controversial by-election in Gaibandha-5, where voting...