Mymensingh: Four election officials were withdrawn from duty in Mymensingh and Naogaon following allegations of irregularities during voting. In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila, an assistant presiding officer and two polling officers were dismissed at Kansherkul High School centre over allegations of allowing open voting and forcing out agents of rival candidates.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Bhaluka Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Firoz Hossain confirmed that the assistant presiding officer and two polling officers were removed for failing to prevent open voting. At Birunia Dakhil Madrasa centre in the same upazila, several youths were found sitting inside booths posing as agents without proper identification. Their ID cards only carried the presiding officer’s signature, lacking names or candidate details.
Presiding Officer Mujibur Rahman stated that he was unwell and did not notice the issue initially. He later instructed the individuals to write their respective symbols in front of journalists. Some, speaking anonymously, alleged that supporters of the ‘Dhaner Shish’ candidate had expelled rival agents and replaced them with the presiding officer’s support.
In Naogaon, Presiding Officer Nazim Uddin of Katkhoir High School centre in Sadar upazila was withdrawn for allegedly signing and sealing the result sheet before vote counting and announcement. Assistant Returning Officer and Sadar UNO Mohammad Ibnul Abedin emphasized that there is no provision for signing the result sheet before counting. Mukatadul Hasan, a senior officer of Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, assumed responsibility around 3pm. Nazim Uddin has been brought to the UNO office, and further action will be taken after review.