Tension at Narayanganj polling centre over alleged ballot tampering
Tension erupted at a polling centre in Siddhirganj of Narayanganj, following allegations by a BNP candidate that Jamaat leaders and activists, with the support of the polling officer, attempted to seal ballot papers on Wednesday night.
The Jamaat candidate, however, has denied the allegation.
The incident took place at Dhanakunda Popular High School polling centre in Godnail area under Siddhirganj area of Narayanganj-3 constituency.
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A video of the unrest at the centre has since circulated on social media, showing ballot papers scattered on the floor of a polling room.
Narayanganj-3 BNP candidate Azharul Islam Mannan alleged that the polling centre’s presiding officer, Md Bashirul Haque Bhuiyan, is “involved in Jamaat-e-Islami politics”.
He also alleged that the presiding officer opened ballot papers inside the centre on Wednesday night and that party Jamaat activists were “preparing to seal them with his assistance”.
Narayanganj city Jamaat Ameer Maulana Abdul Jabbar confirmed that Bashirul was an ameer of Jamaat’s Siddhirganj thana unit.
Contacted, the polling centre’s presiding officer said, “BNP people are creating an issue over this.”
Iqbal Hossain Bhuiyan, Jamaat candidate for the seat, denied the allegation.
“I have not heard of any such incident at any centre. I am also unaware whether we have any leader by that name [Bashirul],” he said over phone.
Upon receiving information, Assistant Returning Officer Shahina Islam Chowdhury, along with police and army officials, visited the centre.
Later, Shahina told reporters that election officials were carrying out routine pre-election tasks. They were checking whether the number of ballot papers matched the voter list; there were no outsiders there. “No party discussion was taking place. I have verified the matter thoroughly,” she said.
Regarding the allegation of the presiding officer’s affiliation with Jamaat, she said, “We appointed him as presiding officer in accordance with the rules. To us, he is the head teacher of an educational institution. We have found no evidence of his political affiliation. He has not engaged in any unethical activity. We have checked the voter list and ballot papers.”
Returning Officer and District Commissioner Raihan Kabir said, “A rumour that ballot papers were being sealed inside led local people and BNP leaders and activists to gather in front of the centre. Some of them entered the polling centre.
The returning officer also said, “He [presiding officer] may have had links with Jamaat. But we appointed him as a school teacher. Until today, we have not received any such complaint against him.”
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