Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday said returning officers would review allegations raised by Jamaat-e-Islami regarding irregularities at several polling centres and take action accordingly.
A Jamaat delegation met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AHM Nasir Uddin earlier in the day, seeking suspension of voting at certain centres in three constituencies.
“There are allegations. Whether there is scope to suspend voting will depend on verification,” the EC secretary told reporters after the meeting. “We cannot comment without reviewing the facts.
Premature statements may cause confusion.” He added that, so far, the overall election situation remained under control.
Earlier, Jamaat central leader Moazzem Hossain Helal alleged that party polling agents were expelled from at least 30 centres in Cumilla-8 (Barura) shortly after voting began.
He said their candidate had submitted a written application to halt voting, but the returning officer did not take effective action.
A copy of the application was handed to the CEC.
He also alleged that Jamaat agents were barred from most centres in Tangail-2 (Gopalpur-Bhuapur) and that ballots were forcibly stamped at a polling station in Narsingdi-4 (Belabo-Monohardi) with the assistance of the presiding officer.
Further allegation included the assault of a candidate in Noakhali-6 (Hatia) and incidents of clashes and occupying centre in Jhalakathi, Patharghata and Mirzaganj in Patuakhali.
Jamaat also alleged obstruction and harassment of its agents in various constituencies in Shariatpur.
The party has formally requested suspension of voting at selected centres in Cumilla-8, Shariatpur-2 and Patuakhali-1. The Election Commission said the allegation are under review.
