The Election Commission (EC) has said it will look into allegations of irregularities raised by Jamaat-e-Islami regarding the Bogura-6 by-election and the Sherpur-3 general election.
Speaking to the reporters at EC’s headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka around 4:45 pm, just 15 minutes after voting ended in both constituencies, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the commission would examine these complaints.
“Of course, we will look into it. I have already asked for reports from my respected officers. That’s all,” he said.
When his attention was drawn to Jamaat’s candidate boycotting the Sherpur-3 election, the EC secretary said, “Jamaat has boycotted, so ask them. We arranged the election. We did not tell anyone to boycott.”
“I heard they boycotted election around 3:45 pm citing fake votes. Voting went on all day, and then 20 minutes before closing they claimed fake votes. Well, fine. That is their political decision. I have no comments on this,” he added.
Akhtar further said, “I have spoken to my officers. I told them to prepare a report. And the results must not be delayed, because results have to be delivered.”
Earlier at 1 pm, Jamaat held a press conference in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, alleging serious irregularities during voting in Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3.
At the briefing, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said they had been receiving reports of irregularities since morning.
Porwar alleged that in some polling centres, presiding officers took signatures from agents on result sheets even before voting began, violating the electoral code of conduct.
He also urged the chief election commissioner (CEC) to intervene immediately to stop such irregularities.
Meanwhile, at 3 pm, Jamaat’s candidate for Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi-Jhenaigati), Masudur Rahman, announced his boycott of the election, alleging irregularities and claiming a fair election was not possible.
The party alleged that agents of the candidate with the “daripalla” (scale) symbol were forced out of polling centres, while incidents of ballot stuffing and stamping in public took place. They claimed complaints were lodged with presiding officers and law enforcement but no remedy was provided.
