Dhaka: BNP Standing Committee member and party-nominated candidate for the Dhaka-8 seat Mirza Abbas on Monday expressed suspicions about election engineering as some candidates are claiming certain victory despite having no public connection or electoral experience. ‘I have been contesting elections in this area since 1977. Before any election, I have never been able to say with certainty that I will win,’ he said.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Abbas voiced his concerns while speaking to journalists after offering Zohr prayers at the Central Police Hospital Mosque in Rajarbagh. Despite his extensive political experience, he noted his inability to predict a sure victory in the upcoming election. Abbas questioned the confidence of those without electoral history who are claiming certain victory, suggesting this could indicate potential election manipulation.
The former minister expressed doubt over such confident claims of victory, suggesting these raise concerns about possible election manipulation. Abbas warned, ‘Those who are not supposed to win are saying they have already won. This makes me doubtful. I fear they may be planning vote rigging or election engineering.’
Abbas urged his party colleagues and supporters to stay vigilant and guard polling stations on February 12 to prevent any attempts at election engineering. Addressing inquiries about recent anti-women remarks made by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Abbas noted that such comments were not new and criticized those who make such remarks to affirm their association with Jamaat.
Regarding the Jamaat Ameer’s claim that his social media account had been hacked, Abbas expressed surprise at the swift recovery of the account. ‘I did not know that a hacked account could be restored so quickly,’ he remarked.
Continuing his campaign efforts, Abbas conducted door-to-door visits, seeking votes for the BNP’s electoral symbol Sheaf of Paddy in the Shahjahanpur Income Tax Colony and nearby market areas. He also held meetings and continued campaigning in the Shahjahanpur Jahaj Building Road area in the evening.