The Election Commission (EC) has postponed publication of the gazette results of the recently concluded Laxmipur-3 and Brahmanbaria-2 constituencies due to allegations of irregularities in the voting. Action will be taken in the light of the report after investigating the irregularities in one center of these two constituencies. Commission Secretary Md. in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. Jahangir Alam informed this information.
Before that announcement, Laxmipur-3 by-election winner Awami League candidate Mohammad Golam Farooq (Pingu) came to the Election Commission Secretariat. He requested the EC officials to publish the election gazette.
On November 5, by-elections were held in Laxmipur-3 and Brahmanbaria-2 parliamentary constituencies. There were allegations of irregularities and rigging in some centers in that election. A person is seen publicly stamping the boat symbol at a center in Lakshmipur-3 constituency. Its video has already gone viral on social media. However, Mohammad Ghulam Farooq (Pingu) told reporters at the EC Secretariat that Silmara is not a member of Azad Chhatra League. He is a student. He has been expelled earlier for doing controversial work. He was expelled on charges of camping. He said, Azad did these things in exchange of money to make us controversial. He has done these things to question the national election.
According to EC sources, the returning officers have sent the results of these two constituencies to the Election Commission. Documents are also presented for publication of results in gazette form. In an informal meeting of the Election Commission at the office of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, the decision to suspend the publication of the gazette was taken. Four election commissioners were present in that meeting.
Later, the EC Secretary said that amendments have been brought in the RPO. A new clause has been added to it. It is clearly stated that even if the returning officer declares the result, if any person is aggrieved and gives the information to the election commission, then the commission will suspend the publication of the gazette of that constituency and take due account of the complaint. The commission will take a decision in the light of the investigation report.
He said, since the law has given this power to the Election Commission. In continuation of this, Election Commission has analyzed the data obtained by the center in Laxmipur-3 Constituency and Brahmanbaria-2 Constituency by-elections in some media in the last two days.
The secretary said, after analyzing the data, the commission has given instructions to the DC, SP and election officer of the concerned district to verify their authenticity. The commission will take a decision based on the report that they will give after the on-site investigation.
Meeting of three intelligence agencies with CEC: The heads of three intelligence agencies met the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at his office yesterday. When asked about the discussion in the meeting, the Election Commission Secretary said, “I don’t know what was discussed with the CEC.” We have other things ahead including announcement of election schedule. That is why such discussions can be held every day. We have to collect various information, for that we will sit with the concerned people.
