Many voters allege ballots cast before their arrival

Allegations of fraudulent voting surfaced in several constituencies on Thursday, as voters in Rangpur, Gazipur, Bhola and Dhaka-4 claimed they were told at polling centres that their ballots had already been cast before they arrived.

The incidents have raised concerns about voter identification procedures and possible irregularities in the electoral process. Authorities in the affected areas said investigations are underway and appropriate action will be taken if the complaints are proven.

In Rangpur's Pirgacha upazila, Nurjahan Begum arrived at Teyani Moniram Government Primary School polling centre around noon to cast her vote. After entering the booth, polling officials informed her that her vote had already been recorded.

Leaving the centre in tears, Nurjahan said, "I have voted in previous elections without any problem.

This time they told me someone else had cast my vote. I came to vote myself." and added momentum to the election atmosphere.

The allegation triggered tension at the centre. Local residents claimed similar incidents had occurred since morning. "Some voters are being told their votes were already cast before they arrived. It's alarming," said Zahurul Islam, a resident. Another voter, Rahima Khatun, said, "If we come to vote and are told it's already done, where will we go? This is our right."

Presiding Officer Monsur Hossain said lapses in voter identification by polling agents may have caused the problem. "We are trying to ensure this does not happen again," he said. Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Executive Officer Debashish Basak confirmed the matter is under investigation.

In Gazipur-3, Lucky Begum faced a similar situation at Sreepur Pilot Government High School women's polling centre around 10:30am. After waiting nearly an hour in line, she was told her vote had already been cast.

Following her complaint, Assistant Presiding Officer Haresha Khatun and Polling Officers Masum Khan and Salma Akter were withdrawn from duty on allegations of negligence. Presiding Officer Md Selim Hossain said disciplinary measures had been taken and an inquiry would determine how the ???? occurred. Lucky Begum later cast a tender vote in line with Election Commission rules.

In Bhola's Char Fasson, Jahura Khatun alleged that officials told her her vote had already been cast. Islami Andolon Bangladesh leader Sheikh Fazlul Karim Maruf claimed multiple voters faced similar problems.

In Dhaka-4's Shyampur-Kadamtali area, voter Manik Miah made the same allegation.
Authorities said investigations into all reported incidents are ongoing, as debate intensifies over safeguarding voting rights and ensuring electoral integrity.