Jamaat demands recount in 30 seats, calls for suspension of gazette, oath-taking
"In 30 seats, our candidates were defeated under highly questionable circumstances," says Jamaat leader Zubair
Alleging widespread vote rigging, intimidation of agents, and manipulation of results in the 13th national elections, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a recount in 30 constituencies.
The party will file an appeal to the Election Commission (EC) seeking suspension of the gazette notifications of the winning candidates in those seats, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said at a press conference at the party's central office this evening (14 February).
"The country expected a free and fair election, but we have witnessed vote fraud, misuse of muscle power, and manipulation in multiple constituencies," Zubair said.
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He went on to say, "In 30 seats, our candidates were defeated under highly questionable circumstances. Complaints have been filed with the returning officers and the Election Commission, and legal steps are underway."
The Jamaat leader stated that in some Dhaka constituencies, results were declared at 5am, while neighbouring centres announced much earlier, "raising serious doubts about the process."
"We want to end this culture of systematically altering results," he said.
Seats under recount demand
The 30 constituencies for which Jamaat has demanded recounts and suspension of gazettes include: Panchagarh-1, Thakurgaon-2, Dinajpur-3 and 5, Lalmonirhat-1 and 2, Gaibandha-4, Bogura-3, Sirajganj-1, Jashore-3, Khulna-3 and 5, Barguna-1 and 2, Jhalokati-1, Pirojpur-2, Mymensingh-1, 4 and 10, Kishoreganj-3, Dhaka-7, 8, 10, 13 and 17, Gopalganj-2, Brahmanbaria-5, Chandpur-4, Chittagong-14, and Cox's Bazar-4. Specific irregularities were also raised regarding Dhaka-6.
Zubair noted that Jamaat candidates were defeated in these seats by margins ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 votes, prompting the challenge.
At the briefing, Jamaat Dhaka-6 candidate Dr Abdul Mannan displayed copies of result sheets from various centers in his constituency.
He alleged that many sheets lacked the presiding officer's signature, some were written in pencil, and others were unclear or improperly copied, particularly at Gendaria High School and Kabi Nazrul College centres.
Mannan also claimed, "Before results were announced, a private TV channel aired a scroll declaring my opponent the winner, indicating a pre-planned conspiracy."
