2 jailed for attempting fake voting in Chandpur

Two youths were arrested and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment each by mobile courts after being caught attempting to cast fake votes at separate polling centres in Hajiganj upazila of Chandpur district on Thursday.

The convicts were identified as Md Hares Bepari, a resident of Rajargaon union and Mohib Ullah Nahid, a resident of Mohammadpur village under Gandharbapur Uttar union.

According to sources, the sentences were handed down around noon on February 12 during the ongoing 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Hares Bepari was arrested while attempting to cast a fake vote at the North-East Government Primary School polling centre under Rajargaon union and law enforcers caught him red-handed.

After confessing his guilt, Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Tanjina Jahan sentenced him to one month of simple imprisonment through a mobile court.

At the same time, Mohib Ullah Nahid was arrested while trying to cast a fake vote at Mohammadpur Government Primary School polling centre.

Following his confession, Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner from the Deputy Commissioner’s office Himadri Khisa sentenced him to one month of simple imprisonment.

Later, police personnel present at the centres took both convicts to Hajiganj Police Station.

Confirming the incident, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer Md Ibne Al Zayed Hossain said that immediate legal action was taken to prevent electoral offences and ensure a fair voting environment.

The 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum were held at 156 polling centres in Chandpur-5 constituency, comprising Hajiganj and Shahrasti upazilas. Among these, voting took place at 90 centres in Hajiganj.

A total of seven candidates contested the election, although one independent candidate boycotted the polls. There are 514,880 registered voters in the two upazilas.

The election was held in a festive and peaceful atmosphere, with no reports of any major untoward incidents from anywhere in this constituency.

MHU/AM