Reports of significant electoral fraud have emerged during Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary elections and referendum, including night voting, booth looting, and voter intimidation.
During the 13th parliamentary general elections and referendum in Bangladesh, there have been widespread reports of electoral irregularities and fraud. Allegations include 'night voting' where votes were allegedly cast or prepared in advance, booths being looted, voters receiving monetary incentives, threats, and illegal voting occurring in various locations. This alarming situation has drawn attention amidst the presence of military personnel overseeing the electoral process, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the elections.
Notably, in the Jhenaidah district's Jhenaidah-4 constituency, empty result sheets were reportedly seized from the Salimunnessa Girls School polling center before voting commenced, with signatures already affixed on them. These sheets were allegedly signed around 8 PM by polling agents of the BNP (Bengali Nationalist Party) and Jamaat-e-Islami, indicating premeditated fraud. The discovery prompted swift action from local officials; the presiding officer responsible for the polling center, Jasmin Ara, was removed from her position due to these violations.
The executive magistrate, Selim Reza, oversaw the verification of the seized documents and supported the decision to replace Jasmin Ara, who was an assistant engineer in the Public Health Engineering Department. This incident underscores the critical need for electoral reforms and better enforcement of laws to ensure fair and transparent elections in Bangladesh, sparking discussions on the implications for democracy in the region.
