The Election Commission has suspended the gazette of the by-elections of Laxmipur-3 and Brahmanbaria-2 constituencies due to irregularities. Results will be published subject to investigation.
Tuesday (November 7) EC Secretary. Jahangir Alam confirmed this.
Earlier, the Election Commission (EC) formed a committee to investigate the release of a video of the public sealing of the boat symbol at the polling station in the Laxmipur-3 constituency by-election on Monday (November 6) night.
Ziaul Haque, the defeated independent candidate of Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency, complained of rigging in the by-election. At the same time, in the press conference, he also raised questions about the fair and impartial conduct of the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections with the current Election Commission.
The ruling Awami League nominated candidate Shahjahan Alam was elected privately by getting 66 thousand 314 votes with the boat symbol in the seat. His nearest rival independent candidate Ziaul Haque got 37 thousand 557 votes in the banana stick symbol.
On the other hand, candidates of Jatiya Party and Zaker Party boycotted the by-election of Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) seat, alleging irregularities and rigging. At noon on the day of polling, two candidates announced boycott.
Besides, a one-member investigation committee was formed on the instructions of the returning officer after a ‘fake vote’ video was circulated in a center during polling in the constituency. At a polling station there, a man is seen stamping a boat symbol on multiple ballot papers. After the video went viral on Monday, there were questions about fair voting.
Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, Member of Parliament of Brahmanbaria-2 Constituency and AKM Shahjahan Kamal, Member of Parliament of Laxmipur-3 Constituency died on the same day on September 30. The election commission declared two seats vacant on October 4 due to their death.
