Jamaat alleges rigging in 30 seats, demands recount

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged widespread irregularities and rigging in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and demanded a recount of votes in 30 constituencies. The party has also appealed for the postponement of the oath-taking ceremony for the declared winners from those seats.

The allegations were raised at a press conference held at the party's central office in Mogbazar, Dhaka, on Saturday evening, February 14, by the party's Assistant Secretary General and head of the media department, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer.

Zubayer alleged that instances of rigging and fraud occurred at various stages of the election process. He specifically pointed to severe irregularities and mismanagement in 30 constituencies. He also raised complaints of abnormal delays in announcing results in some seats and biased behaviour in others.

The party's Assistant Secretary General, Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal, provided details about the 30 constituencies, stating that results were declared with margins of 5,000 to 10,000 votes and that the gazette has already been published. Helal confirmed that a formal application has been submitted to the relevant authorities, requesting a recount of votes and urging that the oath-taking of the declared winners from these seats be halted.

The constituencies listed by the party include Panchagarh-1; Thakurgaon-2; Dinajpur-3 and 5; Lalmonirhat-1 and 2; Gaibandha-4; Bogura-3; Sirajganj-1; Jashore-3; Khulna-3 and 5; Barguna-1 and 2; Jhalakathi-1; Pirojpur-2; Mymensingh-1, 4 and 10; Kishoreganj-3; Dhaka-7, 8, 10, 13 and 17; Gopalganj-2; Brahmanbaria-5; Chandpur-4; Chattogram-14; and Cox's Bazar-4.

Helal claimed that if votes are recounted, these seats would return to the 11-party alliance.

Zubayer further alleged that following the election, leaders, activists, supporters, and polling agents of the party have been attacked in various places. He also raised allegations of attacks on women. It was claimed that deaths have occurred due to violence in several areas.

Abdul Mannan, Jamaat's candidate in Dhaka-6, alleged that he had been defeated due to manipulation during the vote counting process. He expressed hope that the Election Commission would take appropriate action in this regard.

The party stated that it has already initiated legal proceedings concerning these matters. Zubayer mentioned that the number of constituencies might increase as more information comes in.