Referendum result discrepancies caused by clerical errors: EC
However, results for Netrakona-3, Netrakona-4 and Netrakona-5 remained inconsistent and unchanged
The Election Commission (EC) has attributed glaring inconsistencies in the constitutional referendum results to clerical errors and the exhaustion of staff following the 13th Parliamentary Election, as official data continues to show mathematically impossible figures in several districts.
Speaking to the media, EC Public Relations Director Md Ruhul Amin Mollik confirmed that a corrected version of the data is being prepared to replace the annulled figures.
"The error occurred due to the rush; we have corrected it and provided the accurate data again," Mollik said, adding that the remaining mismatches were the result of "human error" and "clerical mistakes" by staff who had been awake all night.
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The commission published revised results for two constituencies on Friday night, but anomalies persisted in three Netrakona seats.
After discrepancies in the referendum results in at least five constituencies came to light through a report of The Business Standard, the EC released updated outcomes for Sirajganj-1 and Rajshahi-4 after making corrections.
However, results for Netrakona-3, Netrakona-4 and Netrakona-5 remained inconsistent and unchanged.
In these three Netrakona constituencies, the number of "Yes" votes exceeded the total number of voters.
In Netrakona-3, for example, the total number of voters was 4,20,686, but the number of "Yes" votes was recorded as 5,02,438.
The total number of votes cast was shown as 2,38,358, with turnout listed at 56.659%. Similar data inconsistencies were observed in Netrakona-4 and Netrakona-5.
The revised results indicated some changes, including increases in the percentage and number of "Yes" votes and decreases in the number of "No" votes.
In Netrakona-3, a total of 201,358 votes were cast, including 4,566 cancelled ballots. Of the 1,96,792 valid votes, the "Yes" camp received 1,36,005, while 60,787 "No" votes were recorded.
Netrakona-4 saw a total of 2,12,210 voters participate, though 27,972 ballots were cancelled during the count. Among the 1,84,238 valid votes, "No" votes slightly edged out the "Yes" count, with 1,02,113 against 82,125.
In Netrakona-5, the returning officer confirmed 1,68,664 total votes cast. After excluding 20,720 cancelled ballots, the "Yes" vote stood at 1,03,671 against 44,273 "No" votes out of a total 1,47,944 valid ballots.
