In a significant post-election development following the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, a high-level delegation representing an eleven-party alliance arrived at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters today to lodge formal complaints regarding widespread irregularities. The coalition is demanding an immediate and transparent re-count of votes across 30 specific constituencies, citing evidence of systematic fraud and procedural malpractice.
The delegation entered the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, at approximately 11:45 am on Sunday. This move follows a heated press conference held on Saturday afternoon, where Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer—Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and head of the Publicity and Media Department—laid out a series of damning allegations.
Allegations of “Overwriting” and “Electric Speed”
According to the alliance, the electoral process in these contested seats was marred by “gross mismanagement.” Advocate Jubayer highlighted several discrepancies found in the official result sheets provided to polling agents, noting:
Document Tampering: Extensive evidence of “overwriting” and physical alterations (erasing or scratching out figures) on the result sheets.
Inconsistent Reporting Speeds: In some areas, results were announced with “electric speed,” while in others, the declaration was delayed for an unnaturally long period without explanation.
Immediate Objections: The alliance claims that although Returning Officers were notified of these issues in real-time on election day, no corrective measures were taken.
The Contested Seats
The petition for a re-count spans across the country, from the capital to the border regions. Below is a breakdown of the constituencies currently under dispute:
| Division/Region | Contested Constituencies |
|---|---|
| Dhaka | Dhaka-7, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-13, Dhaka-17, Gopalganj-2, Kishoreganj-3 |
| Northern Districts | Panchagarh-1, Thakurgaon-2, Dinajpur-3, Dinajpur-5, Lalmonirhat-1, Lalmonirhat-2, Gaibandha-4, Bogra-3, Sirajganj-1 |
| Southern/Coastal | Jessore-3, Khulna-3, Khulna-5, Barguna-2, Jhalokati-1, Pirojpur-2 |
| Mymensingh | Mymensingh-1, Mymensingh-4, Mymensingh-10 |
| Chittagong/East | Brahmanbaria-5, Chandpur-4, Chattogram-14, Cox’s Bazar-4 |
Legal Recourse and Future Steps
The alliance has made it clear that their visit to the EC is only the first step. “We are exploring all possible legal avenues to ensure the sanctity of the people’s mandate,” Jubayer stated during the briefing. Joining him were notable figures including Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Muazzem Hossain Helal, and Barrister Najibure Rahman Momen, the newly elected MP for Pabna-1.
The Election Commission’s response to this formal petition will be a litmus test for the perceived neutrality of the 13th National Parliamentary Elections. The delegation is expected to address the media in full detail following their meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner.
