In a controversial development at a polling station in Naogaon Sadar, a presiding officer was withdrawn from duty on Thursday, 12 February, after allegedly signing and sealing the ballot result sheet before the official counting of votes. The incident occurred around midday at Katkhair High School polling centre.
According to election sources and eyewitness accounts, the officer in question, Nazim Uddin, who also serves as an Assistant Engineer at the Roads and Highways Department, affixed his signature, official seal, and designation on the result sheet while voting was still ongoing. Election regulations strictly mandate that result sheets may only be signed and sealed after the counting process has begun and in the presence of authorised agents monitoring the procedure. Any premature signing is considered a violation of electoral discipline and could be interpreted as evidence of premeditated malpractice.
Following immediate complaints, Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mohammad Ibnul Abedin withdrew Nazim Uddin from his duties at approximately 1:00 pm, one hour after the incident. A new presiding officer has been appointed to ensure compliance with election rules.
In a statement, Nazim Uddin explained:
“Preparing the results after voting takes considerable time. I signed early for convenience, but I was unaware that this violated electoral rules.”
UNO Mohammad Ibnul Abedin emphasised the seriousness of the breach, stating:
“There is no provision for signing result sheets before counting. This is a clear procedural violation. Upon verifying the complaint, the officer was immediately withdrawn and replaced to safeguard the integrity of the process.”
The incident underscores the critical importance of strict adherence to electoral procedures at polling stations to maintain transparency and public confidence in the vote-counting process. Experts note that robust on-site supervision is essential to prevent irregularities and reassure voters that their ballots are handled fairly.
The key details of the incident are summarised in the table below:
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Katkhair High School, Naogaon Sadar Upazila |
| Date & Time | 12 February, 12:00 pm |
| Officer Name & Position | Nazim Uddin, Assistant Engineer |
| Withdrawal from Duty | 12 February, 1:00 pm, by UNO Mohammad Ibnul Abedin |
| Allegation | Signing and sealing result sheet before counting |
| Corrective Action | Appointment of a new presiding officer |
This episode serves as a stark reminder that vigilance at the polling station level is indispensable. Observers stress that only through meticulous oversight can electoral integrity be ensured and citizens’ trust in democratic processes preserved.