Saki accuses Jamaat stockpiling bamboo Sticks, local weapons at polling centres

BNP-backed candidate and chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, Zonayed Saki, alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami candidates are deliberately stockpiling bamboo sticks and locally made weapons at various polling centres in an attempt to create unrest and sabotage the election in Brahmanbaria-6 (Bancharampur).

Speaking at a press conference held at a restaurant in Bancharampur upazila headquarters on Tuesday afternoon (February 10), Saki said concerns about “election engineering” were being raised across the country, while over the past two days a coordinated effort to destabilise the polling environment had become evident.

He alleged that several Jamaat-e-Islami candidates were using social media to urge their supporters to come to polling centres carrying bamboo sticks under the pretext of preventing vote rigging or occupation of polling booths.

Saki further claimed that on Monday a large quantity of bamboo was being transported by an autorickshaw in the Bancharampur area and stored at different locations. He said the vehicle was carrying Jamaat-e-Islami banners. Police intercepted the autorickshaw, after which a local Jamaat leader allegedly attempted to secure its release.

“These incidents clearly indicate a planned effort to stockpile bamboo sticks and local weapons at polling centres to create chaos on election day,” Saki said.

Describing the activities as “highly dangerous and provocative,” he warned that such actions could disrupt a free, fair and peaceful election. However, he expressed confidence that voters in Bancharampur would turn out without fear to exercise their franchise and that the people’s mandate would prevail.

Saki said his camp was committed to ensuring a fully fair election and had already identified several polling centres as high-risk due to potential unrest. The matter has been reported to the administration, which, he said, assured that it would investigate and take appropriate action. He added that the names of 12 risky polling centres were read out at the press conference.

Leaders of the upazila BNP and its affiliated organisations were present at the briefing.