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Thakurgaon-1 by-election
11-party alliance demands army deployment, UNO's removal
Published : Wednesday, 28 October, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Observer Online Report
A 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has placed four demands, including immediate army deployment and the removal of the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), before the Election Commission to ensure a free, fair and impartial by-election in Thakurgaon-1.
The alliance has warned that failure to ensure a credible vote could trigger a nationwide movement, holding both the government and the Election Commission responsible for the political consequences.
Its second demand was the immediate withdrawal of Khairul Islam, the UNO of Thakurgaon Sadar, before the election and a departmental investigation against him.
Third, the alliance demanded strict and effective action against those violating the electoral code of conduct.
Azad claimed that around 168,000 Hindu voters live in the Thakurgaon-1 constituency and alleged that threats and physical assaults had been reported against members of the community.
He urged the Election Commission to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities under Articles 118 to 126 of the Constitution, saying assurances alone would not be enough without visible action on the ground.
The alliance has warned that failure to ensure a credible vote could trigger a nationwide movement, holding both the government and the Election Commission responsible for the political consequences.
Referring to the political crisis surrounding the 1994 by-election, Jamaat leaders cautioned against allowing a similar situation to develop.
AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, announced the demands after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission headquarters on Wednesday.
The alliance called for the immediate deployment of army personnel to maintain law and order, arguing that public confidence in other law enforcement agencies had weakened while trust in the army remained relatively strong. It said the army's presence would help voters visit polling centres without fear.
Its second demand was the immediate withdrawal of Khairul Islam, the UNO of Thakurgaon Sadar, before the election and a departmental investigation against him.
Third, the alliance demanded strict and effective action against those violating the electoral code of conduct.
Fourth, it called for centralised CCTV monitoring of three critical stages of the election: voting, ballot counting and the announcement of results.
The alliance also expressed serious concern over alleged obstruction of election campaigns, attacks and the security of Hindu voters.
Azad claimed that around 168,000 Hindu voters live in the Thakurgaon-1 constituency and alleged that threats and physical assaults had been reported against members of the community.
He urged the Election Commission to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities under Articles 118 to 126 of the Constitution, saying assurances alone would not be enough without visible action on the ground.
“If the situation on the ground does not reflect the assurances given by the commission, we will consider the meeting an ‘eyewash’.''
He added that the alliance would make its final assessment based on the overall voting environment and the election results.
Raising concerns over the local government election roadmap, Azad alleged that changes had been made following a minister’s remarks, raising questions about the Election Commission’s independence.
He also said the alliance had informed the commission of alleged irregularities and inconsistencies involving voter transfers.
Hamidur Rahman Azad described the Thakurgaon-1 by-election as a major test for the Election Commission, saying the vote would demonstrate how independently it could discharge its responsibilities.
The alliance warned that unless the commission took effective steps to ensure a credible election, the consequences could extend beyond the constituency to the national political arena.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
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