Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday alleged large-scale irregularities in the Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 by-elections, claiming that the fairness of the polls was compromised by vote rigging, ballot stuffing and forced expulsion of polling agents.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the party’s central office, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar expressed grave concern over the conduct of the elections, demanding immediate intervention from the Election Commission.
"We have received alarming reports from both constituencies. Our polling agents were not allowed to enter many centres and in several instances, they were forcibly removed to facilitate fake voting," Parwar alleged.
Referring to the situation in Bogura, Parwar claimed that presiding officers in several centres violated electoral rules by forcing polling agents to sign result sheets as early as the morning.
“The law dictates that result sheets are to be signed after the counting process ends. However, at centres like Maltinagar Government Primary School, signatures were taken in advance, clearing way for irregularities,” he said.
Regarding Sherpur-3, Parwar alleged that by noon, agents had been driven out of at least 13 polling stations. He cited an incident at Islamia Kamil Madrasa in Sreebordi municipality, where he claimed local political activists entered the centre, expelled Jamaat agents and assaulted a party youth leader.
He further noted that the pre-election atmosphere in Sherpur was marred by the death of Rezaul Karim, Sreebordi upazila unit secretary, who was allegedly beaten to death, adding to the local tensions.
Jamaat leader criticised the role of law enforcement and election officials, stating that despite filing over 20 written complaints, no effective action was taken to curb the intimidation of voters, particularly women.
“We are bringing these serious violations to the attention of the Chief Election Commissioner. We demand legal action against those responsible and call for re-polling in the centres where major irregularities occurred,” Parwar added, warning that the credibility of the entire process is at stake.
The by-elections were held on Thursday following the vacation of the Bogura-6 seat by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, who chose to retain the Dhaka-17 constituency and the death of the original Jamaat candidate for Sherpur-3, Nuruzzaman Badal.
