LDP chief Oli alleges election fraud, rejects results of Chattogram-14

Liberal Democratic Party President Col (retd) Oli Ahmad has rejected the Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish-Satkania) election results, accusing widespread vote rigging.

In a video message released yesterday (13 February), Oli claimed his son, 11-party alliance candidate Omar Faruk, was deliberately defeated, alleging outsiders entered polling centres after 4pm on election day, Thursday, and stuffed ballot boxes.

Oli alleged that hundreds of outsiders forcefully entered Hasimpur Tarun Sangha School, Hasimpur Baropara Govt Primary School, and Dohazari Abdur Rahman High School centres after 4:30pm in collusion with the presiding officers.

He also claimed that law enforcement expelled LDP supporters from the centres between 2:30pm and 3pm, and repeated complaints to the administration led to no solution.

Oli also accused BNP candidate and MP-elect Jasim Uddin Ahmed of violating election rules, alleging that he took part in showdowns with minibuses and motorcycles and led processions despite the presence of the army and police.

The LDP chief alleged that nearly 4,500 of Faruk's votes were invalidated by election officials without explanation to the party's polling agents, who challenged their action.

He claimed that similar tactics were used nationwide in constituencies where candidates lost by 1,000-1,500 votes. He called this defeat not his son's loss, but a loss for the voters of the constituency.

Urgingcalm, Oli called on authorities to boost security as LDP workers were facing attacks by some unruly people.

He emphasised that election results were secondary and he and his family remain committed to public service. He also urged LDP leaders and workers to stay patient and defend the country's sovereignty.

According to the results released by the Election Commission, BNP's Jasim won in Chittagong-14 with 76,493 votes, while Faruk bagged 75,467 votes, losing by roughly 1,000 votes.