Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Mia Golam Parwar on Thursday alleged widespread vote rigging, voter intimidation and irregularities in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, demanding immediate action from the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair poll.
‘Since the ruling party candidate’s elder brother is the president, voters have been subjected to various forms of influence and psychological pressure,’ Parwar said in a video message sent to the media by Jamaat, alleging that Hindu voters were particularly targeted.
Parwar urged the Election Commission to investigate the allegations, take action against those involved, and ensure that voters could cast their ballots without fear.
He claimed that voters were obstructed from casting ballots, polling agents were forced out of centres, and some polling officials were performing duties without identification cards or badges.
Parwar alleged that a polling official had signed and stamped 22 ballot counterfoils in advance. He also claimed Hindu government employees and teachers faced
Parwar alleged that a woman was told her vote had already been cast and called for an investigation into polling officials working without identification.
He also claimed that Sadar UNO Khairul Islam of favouring a candidate through a Facebook post and a visit to the candidate’s residence, claiming Jamaat’s demand for his removal had been ignored.
Parwar said Jamaat had submitted nine complaints and three demands to the Election Commission earlier, while 11-party alliance leaders also met the commission on Wednesday. He questioned its neutrality and demanded army deployment at polling centres.
Parwar criticised the BNP acting secretary general for describing the by-election as free, fair and peaceful at a press conference, saying social media reports and images contradicted the claim.
He accused the BNP leader of misleading the nation about the situation on the ground.