In the tense lead-up to the 13th national election, described by critics as a one-sided affair amid the exclusion of major parties like the Awami League, widespread allegations of vote-buying, pre-poll rigging, violence, and irregularities flooded mainstream media and social platforms overnight.
The Election Commission (EC) faced intense scrutiny for its response to these incidents, as viral videos showed cash distributions, premature ballot preparations, pre-signed result sheets, and unauthorised entries. Authorities imposed swift penalties in several cases, but questions persisted about the election’s integrity and the EC’s ability to ensure a “historic” fair process.
The EC reiterated its commitment to a peaceful, participatory vote, deploying nearly 900,000 security personnel, including over 550,000 Ansar members and over 1,00,000 troops. Officials emphasised zero tolerance for irregularities, though critics argued that the lack of enforcement undermines the EC’s credibility.
Vote Stuffing And Pre-Signed Result Sheets
Multiple incidents raised alarms over attempts to manipulate vote counting before polling even began. In the Jhenaidah-4 constituency (Kaliganj and partial Sadar areas), 23 pre-signed result sheets for the “Scale” symbol (linked to the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance) were recovered from Salimunnesa Girls’ Pilot Secondary School polling centre around 8pm on February 11.
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Executive Magistrate Selim Reza seized the sheets, tore them up, and ordered new ones issued. The presiding officer, Jesmin Ara, confirmed that a polling agent for the “Sheaf of Paddy” (BNP) symbol had signed blank sheets earlier, followed by seven signatures from the “Scale” agent’s side. The agent later reported the issue, sparking local outrage. Jesmin Ara was immediately removed from duty for violating rules, which require agent signatures only after counting. Magistrate Selim Reza stated that premature signing was improper, and action was taken promptly.
In Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj, tensions flared at a polling centre when presiding officer Mohammad Bashirul Haque Bhuiyan (allegedly a former Jamaat affiliate) was accused of prematurely preparing ballot boxes and papers. A viral video captured confrontations between him and local BNP workers; joint forces intervened to restore calm.
In Dhaka’s Mirpur Shaheed Smriti Higher Secondary School centre, two Jamaat-e-Islami polling agents—Mehedi Hasan Khadem and Raihan Hossain—were arrested for illegal entry and attempting to influence proceedings, posing as observers.
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Metropolitan Magistrate Sara Farzana Haque sentenced each to two years’ rigorous imprisonment under the Representation of the People Order, 1972, plus Tk5,000 fine (additional 15 days if unpaid). Their smartphones were seized. The presiding officer, Mosammat Sumona Islam (wife of a local Jamaat ward secretary), was dismissed on the spot for aiding the intrusion.
Cash Seizures And Vote-Buying Arrests
Cash distribution allegations exploded across districts on February 10-11, with at least 10 areas reporting seizures and arrests, often involving Jamaat-e-Islami workers but also others.
In Thakurgaon, Jamaat district Amir Bilaluddin Pradhan was detained at Saidpur Airport with Tk74 lakh after arriving from Dhaka on a US-Bangla flight. He first identified himself as a teacher and said that he had Tk50 lakh with him. Later, he claimed it was business money. Jamaat held a press conference denying election links and alleging smear tactics. A leader of Thakurgaon Jamaat claimed that Bilaluddin runs a garment factory at his home. However, local journalists said it was a small tailoring shop.
In Shariatpur’s Naria municipality (Baishakhipara), joint forces arrested Jamaat worker Golam Mostofa (assistant teacher at Shahid Samad Government Primary School) with Tk7.20 lakh, a laptop, and documents from Jalil Master’s house. Four were initially detained; Mostofa received two years’ imprisonment and Tk3,000 fine from a mobile court. The others were released after questioning. They were linked to Jamaat candidate Prof. Dr. Mahmud Hossain Bokaul in Shariatpur-2.
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In Dhaka’s Sutrapur, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Amir Mohammad Habib was caught distributing cash near Sutrapur Community Centre polling station. Locals detained him; an executive magistrate sentenced him to two days’ imprisonment.
In Patuakhali’s Kolapara, Coast Guard arrested BNP volunteer unit joint convener Rezaul Karim alias Kajol Mridha with Tk50 lakh near Khepupara Girls’ Secondary School centre. He claimed that it was land compensation money; legal action is ongoing.
In Lakshmipur-3, a vehicle linked to BNP candidate Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Annie yielded Tk15 lakh at a checkpoint in Jhumur area. Annie’s PA and Krishak Dal leader Badrul Islam Shyamol were briefly detained and released after an explanation as election expenses. The judge issued a show-cause notice.
In Barishal’s Babuganj, the army seized Tk1.02 lakh and “Sheaf of Paddy” voter slips from two BNP workers (Humayun Gazi and Enayet Kazi). The mobile court fined them Tk13,000 in total and confiscated the cash for violating campaigning bans.
In Jamalpur-3, three workers for independent candidate Sadikur Rahman Siddique’s “Cup-Saucer” symbol were arrested distributing cash; each was fined Tk5,000 and sentenced to one month’s simple imprisonment.
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In Sirajganj’s Kamarkhand, union Jamaat Amir Abdul Momin was detained by BNP workers with Tk71,000; released on bond after magistrate intervention amid conflicting claims.
In Dinajpur’s Birampur, three Jamaat workers were arrested for distributing jilapi tokens to voters; the investigation is ongoing.
Actions By EC Officials And Law Enforcement
The EC and magistrates acted decisively in several cases, imposing fines, imprisonments, and dismissals. Executive magistrates led mobile courts, seizing evidence and punishing violators under election laws. The EC warned of strict measures against vote-buying, centre obstruction, and fake voting, stating such acts are punishable offenses.
In Ansar-related irregularities, 330 untrained individuals were removed after a leader allegedly took bribes (Tk400-1,100 per person) for fake certificates in Hatirjheel. Two female ward leaders were also dismissed over political links.
In Satkhira’s Debhata, ASI Akidul Islam was withdrawn from duty for holding a “secret meeting” at a BNP leader’s office during election duty. The incident occurred on Wednesday at Shimulia Government Primary School in Nawapara Union.
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