Aminul Haq demands result suspension, re-poll in Dhaka-16

Md Aminul Haq, a contesting candidate in the Dhaka-16 constituency for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has demanded the suspension of results and a re-election, alleging widespread irregularities, corruption and vote rigging.

He submitted a written application to the Returning Officer at the Election Commission Secretariat on Friday afternoon. In the application, he called for the cancellation of results from disputed centres and for fresh polling.

In the petition, Aminul Haq claimed serious violations of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972 and the electoral code of conduct during the election held on February 12. He alleged there is video evidence of money distribution by the rival candidate on the night before the election. He also mentioned that his polling agents were intimidated and ejected from various centres.

He further claimed that result sheets were prepared without agents' signatures in over 40 centres, and in some places signatures were taken before vote counting began. He also alleged that voters were obstructed from going to some centres and that pre-stamped ballot books were found before voting started.

Additionally, he claimed major discrepancies exist between the total votes declared for centres 1 to 29, the results provided by presiding officers and the postal vote counts. He alleged that although the Election Commission has the responsibility to ensure a free and fair election under Article 119 of the constitution, it was not fulfilled in this instance.

Having not received redress after previously complaining to the Assistant Returning Officer, he has now applied for the suspension of results and the formation of a high-level investigation committee under Section 91A of the RPO.