United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday called for a recount of votes in 30 constituencies following the 13th national parliamentary election, citing alleged irregularities in the counting process. “We will also apply to the Election Commission to postpone the oath-taking of the MPs from these seats,” said Assistant Secretary General Advocate Muazzem Hossain Helal at an emergency press conference in the evening. The constituencies listed include Panchagarh-1; Thakurgaon-2; Dinajpur-3 and 5; Lalmonirhat-1 and 2; Gaibandha-4; Bogura-3; Sirajganj-1; Jashore-3; Khulna-3 and 5; Barguna-1 and 2; Jhalakathi-1; Pirojpur-2; Mymensingh-1, 4 and 10; Kishoreganj-3; Dhaka-7, 8, 10, 13 and 17; Gopalganj-2; Brahmanbaria-5; Chandpur-4; Chattogram-14; and Cox’s Bazar-4. Helal claimed that, if the votes are recounted, these seats ‘would return to the 11-party alliance’. Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its central publicity department, said the party has already submitted applications for the 30 seats but added that “the number may increase.” Tarique Rahman to visit Jamaat Ameer, NCP chief Sunday Abdul Mannan, Jamaat’s candidate in Dhaka-6, alleged that he had been defeated due to ‘manipulation’ during vote counting. He said he hopes the Election Commission ‘will take proper action in this regard’.  

Supporters of BNP candidates staged protests and road blockades in Pirgachha and Launia upazilas of Rangpur district on Saturday, demanding a recount of votes in Rangpur-4 and Rangpur-6 constituencies over allegations result manipulation. From the morning, a shutdown was observed in Haragachh area under Rahngpur-4 with traders and locals joining the protest, claiming that vote rigging deprived BNP candidate Emdadul Haque Bhorsa of victory. Demonstrators blocked Haragachh–Rangpur road, burning tyres and halting vehicular movement from Friday afternoon until around midnight at Haqbazar in Kaunia upazila. JP candidate alleges harassment by NCP in Rangpur BNP leaders and activists gathered there and warned of tougher programmes if votes are not recounted. In Pirgachha upazila town, BNP supporters also brought out processions and held rallies urging the Election Commission and the district returning officer to quickly recount the votes. BNP candidate Bhorsa alleged that about 8,500 votes were rejected under suspicious circumstances and claimed that supporters of rival candidate Akhtar Hossain created mobs between 3pm and 5pm on polling day with alleged administrative backing to change the results. He issued an ultimatum for a recount, warning of stricter agitation otherwise. Rangpur poised for tight electoral battle as AL reserve votes look decisive Rejecting the allegations, winning candidate Akhtar Hossain of NCP claimed BNP activists attacked NCP supporters, vandalised houses, looted property and damaged motorcycles. BNP denied the accusations. According to unofficial results, Akhtar Hossain won Rangpur-4 with 149,966 votes while Bhorsa secured 140,564 votes. In Rangpur-6 (Pirgachha), Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Nurul Amin won with 120,128 votes, while Saiful Islam got 117,703 votes.