Mirza Abbas Alleges Vote Manipulation in Dhaka-8

In the Dhaka-8 constituency, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Mirza Abbas has been declared the unofficial victor, securing a total of 59,366 votes, surpassing his nearest rival, Nasiruddin Patwari of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), who received 54,127 votes.

Following the announcement, Mirza Abbas openly questioned the legitimacy of the vote count, suggesting that Patwari’s tally had been artificially inflated through electoral manipulation. Speaking to reporters on Friday, 13 February, after performing Friday prayers at his family’s burial site in Shahjahanpur, he said:

“In this constituency, they do not have such widespread support. These votes have been engineered.”

He expressed both personal satisfaction and public optimism over the declared result, adding:

“I am delighted with the outcome, and the nation is pleased as well. Everyone has exercised their vote. This verdict has historic significance. We hope the people will witness the reflection of this decision, Insha’Allah.”

Mirza Abbas also remarked on the emotional connection his political journey shares with the legacy of former President Ziaur Rahman and BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia, as well as their succeeding generations:

“I am proud to continue political work alongside the legacy of President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia, and their successors.”

However, he raised concerns regarding the handling of invalid ballots, which he described as unjust. He confirmed that an appeal has been filed with the Election Commission to include these ballots in the official count.

Mirza Abbas also reiterated his warning about potential vote manipulation before the election:

“I repeatedly cautioned that a vote-engineering attempt would occur here. They have executed it. We are analysing the methods they used. It is alarming and sets a very dangerous precedent for the nation. They have no genuine support here, yet they received this number of votes.”

Dhaka-8 Vote Summary

The Dhaka-8 constituency results have sparked debate among political observers, with questions raised about vote counting processes and the broader implications for electoral transparency in Bangladesh.

Mirza Abbas’ allegations of “engineered” votes underscore ongoing concerns about electoral integrity and the need for robust oversight to ensure fair representation.