Election day: Jamaat alleges 'result tampering', warns of tough movement as BNP nears majority
The late-night accusations contrasted with the more measured tone of Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman earlier in the evening.
As the BNP moved toward a majority in the 13th parliamentary election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami raised allegations of "abnormal delays" and "result tampering," warning that it would launch a tough movement if the public mandate were "snatched away."
Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission building around 4am today, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair alleged that returning officers were intentionally delaying results to favour a "particular party."
"In the seats contested by our top leaders, results should have been declared by 8pm or 9pm according to the signed sheets given to polling agents," Zubair said.
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He specifically pointed to Dhaka-17, claiming that signed result sheets were "changed and overwritten" to reduce their candidate's tally by nearly 5,000 votes.
In a statement issued today, Jamaat-e-Islami said, "we are not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results. From candidates of the 11-party alliance narrowly and suspiciously losing in various constituencies, to repeated inconsistencies and fabrications in unofficial result announcements, the Election Commission's reluctance to publish voter turnout percentages, and indications that a section of the administration leaned towards a major party- all of this undoubtedly raises serious questions about the integrity of the results process."
"We urge everyone to remain patient and await the official programme of the 11-party alliance. Our struggle for justice in pursuit of a humane Bangladesh will continue, Insha'Allah," the statement adds.
'Positive politics' or protest?
The late-night accusations contrasted with the more measured tone of Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman earlier in the evening.
He noted that winning and losing are natural in a democracy but expressed concern over the "disappearance" of results from the EC's official website.
However, the party's tone sharpened as the night progressed.
Zubair warned that the blood shed by 1,400 martyrs in the 2024 uprising must not be dishonoured by "authoritarian" result manipulation.
"People of this country have shed blood against fascism. In this new Bangladesh, achieved in exchange for the blood of 1,400 martyrs, if public opinion is ignored again in an authoritarian manner, the people will not accept it." he said.
"We will not bow to any conspiracy. If necessary, we will launch a tough movement," he said, adding that candidates in several constituencies were preparing for legal action.
On polling day, the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance delegation had met with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin to submit over 100 video clips of alleged irregularities.
Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal, a member of the delegation, claimed agents were forcibly removed from at least 30 centres in Cumilla-8 and that "forced ballot stamping" occurred in Narsingdi-4.
"We want a clean result that leaves no questions in the minds of the nation," Helal said.
