Awami League candidate Mahmud Hasan Ripon, demanded the EC official’s removal and punishment, including the Chief Election Commissioner on Wednesday at a press conference at the Bonapara AL office after the EC decided to halt the election. He sought the announcement of results from polling stations where voting continued unhindered. Amidst irregularities in some poll booths, EC halted the Election, claimed him.
Following charges of ballot stuffing, election rigging, and intimidation, the EC nixed the by-election on Wednesday.
“The EC strangely canceled the by-election,” Ripon claimed furthermore. Results from polling booths where voting went smoothly must be announced, and also wherein voting was suspended must be rearranged, he demanded.
Voters denounced the EC’s election suspension. They requested the EC officials’ removal and punishment, including the Chief Election Commissioner.
The EC scheduled the Saghata-Fulchari by-election on October 12. Polling proceeded quietly at 8:00 am, but suspicions of vote manipulation and intimidation quickly emerged. Consequently, the CEC canceled the election considering ‘ malpractices’.
Independent contestants and other parties boycotted the election, claiming governing party operatives invaded voting booths. Following the claims, the EC suspended all voting at 1:00 pm.
“The Gaibandha-5 by-election has spun out of control,” the CEC said. “We observed from the beginning that booths were being operated unlawfully,” he stated.
Voters who couldn’t vote protested the EC’s decision. Some roped off Saghata Upazila Parishad and burnt CEC effigies outside Fulchari Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office.
