A video of a former Chhatra League leader publicly stamping the boat symbol in the recently concluded Laxmipur-3 (Sadar) seat by-election has spread on social media Facebook. The one who sealed it – his name is Azad Hossain. He is the former vice-president of Chandraganj Thana Chhatra League of Lakshmipur. However, he was recently expelled by the District Chhatra League for violating party discipline.
Meanwhile, Golam Farooq Pingku, the candidate of privately won boat in the by-election of Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) seat, claimed that Azad, who was sealed in the boat, was a worker of the student camp.
Ghulam Farooq Pingu made this claim while talking to the Election Commission on Tuesday (November 7) morning. It is said that he has come to the Election Commission to meet Election Commissioner Anishur Rahman.
Ghulam Farooq Pingu was elected Member of Parliament by getting 1 lakh 20 thousand 599 votes. On Sunday (November 5) at around 8:30 pm, the returning officer and Comilla regional election officer Farhad Hossain privately declared Pinku the winner.
A 57-second video circulating on social media shows a man sitting in a polling booth repeatedly stamping the boat symbol on the ballot paper. A boat symbol card hangs around his neck. At that time, 43 ballots showed him sealing the boat symbol. Another person in the room is assisting him in sealing the boat. The man who is publicly sealing is Azad.
Regarding Azad, Pinku said, Azad is not a member of Chhatra League, he is a camp person. Earlier, he did controversial work due to which he was expelled. He was expelled earlier on charges of camping.
He also said that Azad did these things in exchange of money to make us controversial. These things have been done to question the national election.
At the polling station, the leader was seen stamping the boat symbol on several ballot papers. The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has ordered a proper investigation of this incident and submit an investigation report within the next three working days.
The EC gave this instruction to the Lakshmipur District Election Officer on Monday (November 6). Regional election officer of Comilla region. This instruction was given through a letter signed by Farhad Hossain.
It is mentioned in the letter that voting was held on Sunday (November 5) in Lakshmipur-3 vacant seat. Attached is the CD of the video footage circulated on social media about the irregularities in the polls. In order to identify the polling station concerned, all the polling officers, members of the law and order forces and others concerned have been asked to investigate and submit the investigation report within the next 3 working days.
The newly elected member of parliament is the president of Pingku District Awami League and a resident of Hazirpara Union of Sadar Upazila. On the other hand, the rival of Nauka’s candidate was Joint General Secretary of Jatiya Party District Committee Mohammad Rakib Hossain (Langal).
In the by-election, the candidate of plow symbol got 3 thousand 846 votes. The candidate for the plow filed a complaint with the Lakshipur District Commissioner and the District Executive Officer named Pinkur. In Lakshipur-3 Constituency, he complained of vote rigging, obstruction of voting and beating, including expulsion of agents of all polling stations.
Earlier, in the by-election for the vacancy of Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) constituency held on November 5, the candidate boycotted the vote by accusing agents of not allowing agents to enter the center along with fake votes.
Regarding boycotting Jatiya Party candidate Mohammad Rakib Hossain, Awami League people did not allow their agents to enter various centers. Awami League leaders and activists occupied the center and filled the ballot boxes with fake votes. Voter turnout was low in 115 centres. 30-40 percent voter turnout was shown in many centers due to fake voting. They boycotted the vote on these charges.
