Nasiruddin Patwary alleges attack by Mirza Abbas supporters at Dhaka-8 polling centre
He condemned the incident and urged the authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial investigation and ensure voter safety.
NCP candidate Nasiruddin Patwary has alleged that supporters of BNP candidate Mirza Abbas carried out an attack at the Railway Colony High School polling centre in Dhaka-8 during voting today (12 February).
In a Facebook post, Patwary claimed that "vote robbery" was taking place at the centre through what he described as Mirza Abbas's "terrorist forces". He further alleged that the presiding officer was "directly working in favour of the BNP".
"We were attacked by BNP leaders and activists in the presence of the administration after we entered the centre," he wrote.
Patwary strongly condemned the incident and called for immediate action.
"We strongly condemn this incident and demand an immediate fair investigation and the assurance of voters' safety from the concerned authorities," he added.
Meanwhile, BNP-nominated candidate and party standing committee member Mirza Abbas cast his vote at Mirza Abbas Mahila Degree College in Shahjahnpur (Railway Colony).
The Election Commission has not yet commented on these allegations.
Earlier, Patwary alleged that the Langol, Dhan and Awami League have "merged into one" and are working together to influence the election while inspecting the Mirza Abbas Mahila Degree College polling centre in Dhaka-8.
"We are hearing that Langol and Dhan have become one. Langol is now working in favour of Dhan. Behind Langol is the Awami League, and behind the Awami League is India. You understand the game? Everywhere we are finding that Langol, Dhan and the Awami League have merged into one," he said.
Patwary said he had visited several polling centres since morning and found voting to be fair in many places, but claimed irregularities at the Mirza Abbas Mahila Degree College centre.
"I have visited many centres since morning. In many places, I saw that the voting was fair. But there has been a problem at this centre. Our agent was allowed to enter one hour late, and that was extended to three hours. During that time, our agent was not inside the centre. We want to know what happened inside during those three hours. We want to see the CCTV footage to know what was done inside while our agent was absent," he said.
"Our agents were not searched by the administration; they were searched by Mirza Abbas's party goons. Obstructing agents from doing their work is not democracy. This kind of action is unacceptable," he said.
Patwary also claimed that some voters were casting ballots under fear.
"Many are saying, 'Brother, we brought the slip out of fear for our lives. In our hearts, we support Shapla Koli, and we stamped for Shapla Koli.' InshaAllah, there will be a landslide victory for Shapla Koli in Dhaka-8. This victory will not belong to Nasiruddin Patwari; this victory will belong to the martyr Osman Hadi," he added.
He also warned those involved in criminal activities.
"Those who engage in terror and extortion, we will crush them through the administration. We will drive the oppressors out of this land. The rights of the oppressed and persecuted will be established. Who is a standing committee member and under whose name, these are not the main issues for us. The main issue for us is the people," he said.
