Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Zonayed Saki Alleges Nationwide Election Engineering by Jamaat

Published: 12 Feb 2026, 05:18 am

Zonayed Saki, the Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan and the BNP-led alliance candidate for the Brahmanbaria-6 (Bancharampur) constituency, has issued a scathing critique of the current electoral climate. Speaking at a press conference in Bancharampur on Wednesday afternoon, Saki claimed that a sophisticated and widespread "election engineering" plot orchestrated by Jamaat-e-Islami has become increasingly apparent across the country.

Allegations of Systemic Manipulation

During the briefing, Saki argued that certain political factions have abandoned the democratic ideal of winning through the popular vote, choosing instead to rely on archaic and deceptive strategies. He specifically pointed towards the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, asserting that their tactical manoeuvres are designed to subvert the will of the people.

"In the struggle for political supremacy, old and discredited methods are being revived," Saki stated. "It is evident that certain parties place more trust in engineering the outcome than in the mandate of the citizens. We are seeing clear symptoms of this right here in Bancharampur."

Tactical Sabotage Outlined

The veteran politician detailed several specific methods he believes are being deployed to manipulate the polling process. According to Saki, the planned "engineering" involves a multi-pronged approach to compromise the integrity of the ballot box:

Proxy Voting: Systematically casting ballots on behalf of absent voters.

Chemical Tampering: The use of specific solvents or "medicines" to remove indelible ink from voters' fingers, allowing for multiple voting.

Manufactured Chaos: Intentionally creating a "mob atmosphere" at polling centres to intimidate genuine voters and deter them from participating.

Monetary Influence: The widespread distribution of "black money" to buy influence and votes.

Summary of Alleged Electoral Malpractices

TacticIntended Objective
Absentee Ballot StuffingTo artificially inflate vote counts in favour of a specific candidate.
Ink Removal SolventsTo facilitate repeat voting by the same individuals.
Staged Crowd ViolenceTo trigger a "mob" scenario that discourages peaceful voters.
Administrative BiasTo ensure local officials ignore irregularities like booth capturing.

Call for Administrative Neutrality

Saki expressed deep concern that local administrations might be susceptible to partisan influence, potentially turning a blind eye to these irregularities. He confirmed that formal complaints regarding the planned occupation of polling centres and the circulation of illegal funds have been lodged with the authorities.

While the administration has offered assurances of a fair process, Saki remained cautious. "If the administration is influenced by a single party, they will fail to see the obvious," he warned. He was accompanied at the conference by the President of the Upa-Zila BNP, Mehedi Hasan Palash, and former Member of Parliament M.A. Khalek, both of whom echoed his calls for a transparent and interference-free election.

Alarm Over Attempted Polling Centre Takeovers

Serious allegations over the integrity of the forthcoming parliamentary election have intensified po...

Allegations of Vote Buying Shadow Hasnat Abdullah’s Campaign

As the nation stands on the precipice of a high-stakes electoral contest, a controversial video has...

BNP Convenes Emergency Midnight Briefing Ahead of Polls

In a move reflecting the heightened political temperature on the eve of the national elections, the...

BNP Cites 127 Cases of Jamaat Electoral Malpractice

On the eve of the national polls, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has lodged a formal and sca...

Senior Police Shake-up on Eve of National Elections

In a significant administrative move just days before the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, the...

BNP Warns Against Exploitation of Islamic Attire

In a significant pre-election briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Mahdi Amin, the spokesperson for the...

BNP Denounces "Systematic Sabotage" and Irregularities by Jamaat

On the eve of the national polls, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has voiced profound disillu...

Hundreds of Ansar Personnel Dismissed Over Recruitment Fraud

A major scandal has rocked the Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) just hours before the national...

Silent Voters Emerge as Decisive Factor in Landmark Polls

As Bangladesh approaches its most significant electoral test in decades, the political landscape has...

World’s First Gen Z-Influenced Election: Bangladesh Votes

For the first time since the landmark polls of 2008, Bangladesh is witnessing a truly competitive ge...

Jamaat Operative Detained Following Vote-Buying Allegations in Mirzaganj

An incident involving suspected electoral malpractice has heightened tensions in the Patuakhali-1 co...

Post-Interim Government: Life After Office for Advisors

The curtains are drawing to a close on Bangladesh’s interim administration. Following the student-le...