Thakurgaon:Dhaka Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed, reported that the voting atmosphere in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election is fair and normal. The Election Commission has not received any complaints of irregularities thus far.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Akhtar Ahmed made these remarks at his office at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, while discussing the electoral environment of the by-election.
He addressed concerns over a scene circulating on social media showing a ballot paper being stamped. He clarified that the ballot paper had not been detached from the counterfoil book, and the stamp was placed on the back, not on the electoral symbol. Ahmed suggested this might have been done to ensure the continuity and speed of the voting process.
Ahmed further stated that he had communicated with the returning officer regarding the overall situation of the by-election. Candidates had expressed satisfaction with the voting environment, and the situation was under continuous monitoring through a live-streaming system at polling centres.
When questioned about any potential complaints of irregularities, the senior secretary confirmed that the Commission had not received any complaints so far. He added that complaints could be lodged locally with the judicial inquiry committee, executive magistrates, judicial magistrates, and law enforcement agencies, who were all actively monitoring the situation.
Ahmed also urged media personnel to verify information before dissemination to avoid spreading false or misleading information.