TIB clarifies findings, says data on fake votes misrepresented
It says generalising this sample-based finding to characterise the entire election as being marked by widespread fake voting is “completely incorrect, baseless and misleading”
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said its findings on isolated incidents of fake voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Election have been misrepresented, leading to misleading narratives about the overall credibility of the polls.
In a press release issued today (16 February), the organisation stated that data presented at a press conference marking the release of its report titled "Observation on the 13th National Parliamentary Election Process and Affidavit-based Review" had been inaccurately interpreted by sections of the media.
TIB clarified that its field-level research was conducted using a random sampling method across 70 selected constituencies.
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"Among these 70 randomly selected constituencies, incidents of one or more fake votes were found in 21.4% of constituencies," the statement said.
However, the organisation stressed that generalising this sample-based finding to characterise the entire election as being marked by widespread fake voting is "completely incorrect, baseless and misleading."
According to TIB, the research was not designed to provide a nationwide quantitative estimate of irregularities but to observe and analyse selected aspects of the electoral process.
The anti-corruption watchdog urged media outlets that have already published or broadcast what it termed misinterpretations to issue prompt corrections.
It added that failure to do so would compel the organisation to view such presentations as deliberate attempts to mislead the public.
