Mirza Abbas's wife at returning officer's office amid result manipulation allegations

Tension has erupted at the returning officer's office over allegations of vote result manipulation. Following NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary's presence there, his rival candidate BNP leader Mirza Abbas's wife Afroza Abbas also went to the office.

Afroza Abbas went to the office of Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury around 10:45 pm on Thursday. Earlier, Nasiruddin Patwary had gone there around 8:30 pm. After staying for nearly two hours, he left without speaking to journalists.

An official at the Dhaka Returning Officer's office said the returning officer had sought an explanation regarding Patwary's allegations. Afroza Abbas went there to provide that response.

Several hundred leaders and activists took out a procession outside after news of Afroza Abbas's visit to the office spread.

Shahin Ahmed, chief election agent of Jamaat Islami alliance-nominated candidate Nasiruddin Patwary, alleged that irregularities were taking place in the results of Siddheswari Boy's High School, Motijheel Ideal School and College, Eskaton Boy's High School, Paltan Family Planning Centre, Mahbub Ali Institute and Mirza Abbas College centres.

He claimed, "Despite receiving 15 votes more at Mirza Abbas College centre, agents are being detained for recounting votes. At several centres, votes are being counted three times and attempts are being made to alter results by adding invalid votes."

Shahin Ahmed further said information has been received about agents being detained at several other centres, and declaration of results from centres where they were leading is being delayed. Patwary had gone to the returning officer's office to lodge these allegations.

Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury said at night, "I cannot say anything officially right now."