Dhaka-8: Patwary seeks vote recount, stay on Mirza Abbas's swearing-in as MP
In the petition, Patwary outlined an 11-point list of grievances, specifically citing irregularities at 12 polling centres across the constituency.
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-8, National Citizen Party leader Nasiruddin Patwary, has formally petitioned the Election Commission to stay the swearing-in of the BNP's Mirza Abbas, alleging widespread vote-rigging and irregularities.
The application was submitted to the chief election commissioner (CEC) today (15 February) by NCP leader Kazi Fakhrul Islam on behalf of Patwary, who contested the polls with the "Shapla Koli (waterlily bud)" symbol.
In the petition, Patwary outlined an 11-point list of grievances, specifically citing irregularities at 12 polling centres across the constituency.
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He alleged that Mirza Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member, along with his family members and party activists, exerted illegal influence to manipulate the outcome.
The NCP leader's petition alleged that the candidate for the "Sheaf of Paddy", Mirza Abbas, and his agents engaged in vote-rigging, influenced the process, withheld results, and even included cancelled votes in the final tally.
Patwary further claimed that presiding officers and the returning officer became "entangled" in these irregularities.
"Through fraud and malpractice, the authorities declared the BNP candidate the winner instead of announcing my final victory. I am bringing these matters of rigging to the Election Commission's attention and calling for legal action," he stated.
The NCP leader urged the commission to suspend the gazette notification and prevent the swearing-in ceremony for the Dhaka-8 seat until a full recount and investigation are conducted.
Official results announced early on Friday (13 February) showed Mirza Abbas winning with 59,366 votes, narrowly defeating Patwary, who secured 54,127 votes.
The margin of 5,239 votes has remained a point of contention for the 11-party alliance, which has raised similar concerns in other high-profile Dhaka seats.
The Election Commission has yet to issue a formal response to the petition.
