Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka-6 candidate Abdul Mannan has raised concerns over election management after being allocated the “Scales” (Daripalla) electoral symbol, warning that current arrangements could undermine a free and fair vote.

Speaking to reporters at the returning officer’s office, Shegunbagicha, Mannan alleged that the location and management of election offices in the constituency could jeopardise the security of ballots and other sensitive election materials.

He said he had submitted a written complaint to the Election Commission through the returning officer.

Questioning the neutrality of the electoral environment, the Jamaat candidate said incidents involving muscle power and weapons had yet to be addressed, while the use of black money during the campaign remained a serious concern.

He said these issues were also communicated to the returning officer in writing.

According to Mannan, all thana-level election offices in the Dhaka-6 constituency are operating from a rented building allegedly owned by a person linked to a rival candidate, BNP nominee Ishraque Hossain.

He warned that storing ballot papers, indelible ink and other confidential and preserved election materials in the same premises could pose a serious risk to the integrity of the election.

Mannan said he submitted a written application on the matter to the Election Commission through the returning officer on January 14.

However, he claimed the application has not yet been forwarded to the commission and that even the receiving copy of the complaint could not be traced at the returning officer’s office.