Presiding officer withdrawn in Chattogram-14 over advance signatures on result sheet
An Army team quickly reached the spot following the incident, and voting was temporarily suspended.
A presiding officer has been withdrawn from a polling centre in Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish-Satkania) constituency after allegations surfaced that he collected advance signatures on the result sheet before voting concluded.
The incident took place around 12:30pm today (12 February) at North Satkania Ali Ahmed Pranhori High School, a polling centre under the constituency.
According to officials, presiding officer Faridul Alam took signatures on the result sheet in advance, triggering tension at the centre. An Army team quickly reached the spot following the incident, and voting was temporarily suspended.
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Assistant Returning Officer Khandaker Mahmudul Hasan arrived shortly afterward and withdrew the presiding officer from duty. Voting resumed around 1:30pm.
Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Khandaker said allegations had been received that polling agents were asked to sign the result sheet ahead of time.
"Upon visiting the centre, we found evidence supporting the complaint. The presiding officer was withdrawn immediately," he said.
Faridul Alam, however, claimed there was no ill intent behind his action.
"After voting ends, preparing the result sheet often becomes complicated. To avoid delays, I took the signatures in advance. I did not do it with any bad intention," he said.
