NCP candidate alleges BNP polling agents wearing party cards inside booths in Dhaka-18

National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate for Dhaka-18 Ariful Islam Adib today (12 February) alleged that polling agents of a BNP candidate were staying inside voting booths wearing party identity cards in violation of electoral rules.

However, BNP-nominated candidate SM Jahangir defended the practice as traditional.

While talking to journalists after visiting the Uttara High School polling centre around 9am, Ariful said polling agents from all parties are allowed inside booths but cannot wear party identity cards.

"After visiting four or five booths here, I have seen that the polling agents representing BNP candidate SM Jahangir Hossain are performing their duties while wearing cards with the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol," he said, adding that the cards also carried a photo of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and could influence voters.

Asked whether he had filed a formal complaint, Ariful said he had raised the matter directly with the presiding officer.

"I brought him and showed him visually in front of the media. He says he will take action, but we have not seen any action taken yet," he said.

He added that the overall environment outside the centre appeared peaceful, but alleged other irregularities.

"Voters have complained that although they found their voting numbers on the official website, they are not finding them on the printed slips. As a result, they are facing difficulties," he said.

Meanwhile, BNP-nominated candidate SM Jahangir Hossain also visited the centre during the time.

Responding to the allegation, Jahangir said, "My polling agent will, of course, wear my badge. Whose agent is the polling agent? SM Jahangir's agent."

He described the practice as a long-standing tradition and added, "When I became a voter 40 years ago, I was also a polling agent, and even then, I hung the card like this. I do not understand where the crime is here."