Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Thursday alleged widespread irregularities in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, including voter intimidation, proxy voting, obstruction of voters and ballot counterfoils being stamped and signed in advance.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office, Porwar expressed concern that the alleged irregularities could influence the election results.
He claimed that voters had been prevented from reaching several polling centres, threatened and intimidated, while Jamaat polling agents had been driven out of some centres.
“A woman went to vote and was told, ‘Your vote has already been cast.’ There is a video of this as well. You can have it if you want,” he said.
Porwar also questioned the identities of election officials, alleging that several presiding and polling officers at different centres were performing their duties without identity cards or badges.
He said Jamaat candidate Delowar Hossain had raised concerns about the matter.
“A person taking votes and handling ballots at a polling station without an identity card or badge could be a terrorist or a member of Chhatra Dal or Jubo Dal,” Porwar said.
He argued that the absence of identification raised doubts about whether those individuals had been officially appointed to conduct polling and demanded an investigation.
Porwar further alleged that ballot counterfoils had been stamped and signed before votes were cast.
“According to the latest information, 22 stamps and signatures were found that had been made in advance,” he said, claiming that such practices could facilitate fraudulent voting.
He also alleged that Hindu voters were being intimidated, particularly members of the community employed in government offices and educational institutions, who he claimed had been pressured not to work for Jamaat’s Daripalla (scales) symbol.
Porwar said the constituency had approximately 1.65 lakh Hindu voters.
Accusing opponents of violating the electoral code of conduct, he said photographs showing campaigning before 2 pm and the Dhaner Sheesh (sheaf of paddy) symbol displayed in colour had been submitted to the Election Commission.
He said photographs of Jamaat workers who had allegedly been beaten and injured had also been submitted.
Porwar said Jamaat had lodged a nine-point written complaint and placed three demands before the Election Commission over the by-election. Leaders of the 11-party alliance subsequently submitted further complaints and demands.
However, he claimed that the commission had taken no effective action on the allegations.
Porwar called on the Election Commission, returning officer, district administration and police to ensure that voters could cast their ballots without obstruction during the remaining polling hours.
“Ensure an environment in which voters can cast their ballots without disruption during the remaining polling hours, and stop the threats and intimidation by the administration,” he said.
Defending Jamaat’s demand for army deployment, Porwar argued that a large presence of law enforcement personnel did not necessarily guarantee a neutral election.
He alleged that a significant section of the police force was corrupt and politically influenced, saying this was why the party had sought army deployment.
