Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) candidate in Barishal-5 (Sadar) constituency Manisha Chakraborty alleged that polling agents were prevented from entering several polling centres across the district on Thursday morning.
Manisha Chakraborty made the allegation after casting her vote at the SCGM Secondary School polling centre at around 9am.
She claimed that vested quarters had been attempting to influence polling centres since the previous night and that coordinated pressure tactics were being carried out in different areas.
“Since last night, influence has been exerted at polling centres. There have been drills by vested groups across various locations. This morning, our polling agents were barred from entering the centres,” she said.
Although she said the voting process was largely peaceful, Manisha Chakraborty expressed concern over the overall fairness of the election until results are announced.
“If the administration performs its duties impartially, people will be able to vote for their preferred candidates. If the administration is not neutral, free and fair voting will never be possible,” she added.
She also urged authorities to prevent undue influence by powerful groups, warning that public trust in the administration would decline if such interference continued.
“The administration must stop the influence of vested interests. Otherwise, people will lose faith in the election process,” she said.
