The 11-party alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Thursday called on the Election Commission (EC) to suspend voting and take immediate corrective action in at least three parliamentary constituencies, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation, and obstruction of the polling process during the 13th national election.
The demand was voiced after a delegation from the alliance met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon on Thursday afternoon.
The party specifically named Cumilla-8, Shariatpur-2, and Patuakhali-1 constituencies, along with several other polling centers across the country, as areas where serious electoral violations were reported.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Muazzem Hossain Helal said the alliance had submitted written complaints to the commission, detailing incidents of irregularities at multiple polling stations. Although he did not provide an exact figure, he said the number of affected centers was significant.
“In several polling stations in Cumilla-8, Patuakhali-1, and Shariatpur-2, voting was disrupted due to irregular practices and voter intimidation,” Helal said. “We have therefore demanded the suspension of voting in those centers and a re-election to ensure a free, fair, and credible process.”
He added that the party submitted more than 100 video clips and related digital links to the Election Commission as evidence of the alleged misconduct. According to him, the footage shows incidents of voter intimidation, obstruction of polling, and the removal of party polling agents from voting centers.
“In one constituency in Cumilla, our polling agents were forcibly expelled from polling stations, which is a serious violation of electoral rules and principles of transparency,” Helal said, adding that election officials had been formally informed of the incident.
The leaders also alleged irregularities in several other districts, including Narsingdi, Noakhali, and Jhalokathi. Helal said complaints related to these areas, along with video evidence, had also been submitted to the commission.
“These incidents raise serious concerns about the overall environment of the election,” he said. “We have urged the Election Commission to take strong and immediate action so that no one can undermine the integrity of the voting process.”
In Cumilla-8, which comprises Barura upazila, Jamaat candidate Shafiqul Alam Helal is contesting against BNP’s Zakaria Taher, Jatiya Party’s HMM Irfan, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Golam Sadeq.
In Patuakhali-1, the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance has nominated Mohammad Abdul Wahab of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, while BNP’s candidate is Altaf Hossain Chowdhury.
In Shariatpur-2, Jamaat candidate Mahmud Hossain is facing BNP nominee Shafiqul Rahman Kiron.
The leaders stressed that failure to address the complaints promptly could damage public confidence in the electoral process. They urged the Election Commission to investigate the allegations thoroughly, ensure accountability, and guarantee a level playing field for all contestants.
“The credibility of the election depends on how effectively these complaints are handled,” Helal said. “We expect the Election Commission to act decisively to protect voters’ rights and uphold democratic norms.”
The Election Commission has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
