Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah has warned that any attempts to influence the 13th general election through bribery will fail, asserting that no individuals involved in such activities will be spared.
“If anyone thinks they will buy votes with money this time, I don’t think that initiative will succeed,” the Commissioner said on Thursday.
His remarks followed the detention of activists from Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, other political parties, and independent candidates who were reportedly caught with significant amounts of cash on the eve of the polls.
Addressing these arrests, the former army officer stated the incident was “not alarming” but rather a positive outcome. “It is better that they were caught,” he said, adding he was certain those harbouring dishonest intentions to use money would now be “cautious”.
Commissioner Sanaullah made these comments after casting his vote alongside his family at the Viqarunnisa School and College centre at 9:20 am.
He noted that this was the first time he had ever voted in a national election, as his lifelong military service had previously prevented him from doing so.
Regarding the overall conduct of the election, he reported that preliminary information received by the Election Commission indicated the polls were being held “beautifully” across the country.
He added that agents at various centres had expressed no complaints regarding the voting environment.
Developments at Dhaka-8 At the Viqarunnisa centre, which falls under the Dhaka-8 constituency, voting commenced at 7:30 am.
Approximately 150 votes were recorded within the first hour of polling. The primary contest in this seat is between Mirza Abbas, representing the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol, and Nasir Uddin Patwari, contesting with the Shapla Koli symbol.
The electoral proceedings at the centre were observed by Nana Akufo-Addo, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group and former President of Ghana.
In a move to maintain order, army personnel were seen removing the information booths of both Mirza Abbas and Nasir Uddin Patwari, as they had been established within 400 yards of the polling station.
