In a dramatic turn during the 13th National Parliamentary Election, independent candidate and former State Minister Professor Md. Rezaul Karim announced his withdrawal from the Narayanganj-3 constituency (covering Sonargaon and Siddhirganj) on Thursday afternoon. The former minister cited widespread electoral malpractice, including the expulsion of candidates’ agents from polling stations and the casting of fraudulent votes, which, he claimed, rendered the electoral process neither free nor fair.
Speaking to the press at 3:20 PM on 12 February after visiting several polling centres in the Meghna Industrial Area of Sonargaon, Professor Karim stated, “My election agents were forcibly removed from multiple centres. Additionally, there is evidence of ballot manipulation at various locations. Under these circumstances, conducting a transparent and impartial election is impossible.”
Professor Karim also criticised the local administration, alleging inaction and failure to uphold their responsibilities in the voting process. “The administrative authorities are not ensuring proper oversight. As a result, the voice of ordinary voters is not accurately reflected in the election outcomes,” he remarked.
He further accused supporters of BNP candidate Azharul Islam Mannan of being involved in ballot tampering and other irregularities. In response to these issues, Professor Karim demanded the immediate annulment of the election and called for a fresh, fair voting process.
A summary of his allegations concerning election agents and fraudulent votes is presented in the table below:
| Polling Centre | Nature of Allegation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Meghna Industrial Area 1 | Election agents forcibly removed | Candidate oversight obstructed |
| Meghna Industrial Area 2 | Evidence of fraudulent voting | Electoral transparency undermined |
| Siddhirganj Centre 3 | Agents’ presence obstructed | Voters’ ability to express opinion hindered |
| Various Centres | Administrative inaction | Free and fair election not ensured |
Local political observers have warned that Professor Karim’s withdrawal could further intensify tensions in Narayanganj-3. Analysts emphasise that such allegations, if left unaddressed, risk eroding public confidence in the electoral system and underscore the need for improved coordination between candidates and election authorities.
The withdrawal raises fresh questions about the credibility and impartiality of the election in the constituency. Political analysts are increasingly calling for immediate investigations and potential reorganisation of polling arrangements to restore voter trust and ensure a transparent outcome.