In Sirajganj’s Kamarkhand upazila, a local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mostak Sarkar, reportedly fled on Wednesday morning (11 February) after being accused of attempting to buy votes. The incident occurred in Maynakandi village and was captured on video, which has since gone viral on social media and local news outlets.
The footage shows Sarkar handing over cash to an individual. As soon as local residents began recording the exchange, he suddenly bolted from the scene. Despite attempts by the crowd to pursue him, Sarkar managed to leave the area.
In response to the incident, Shahidul Islam, assistant secretary of the district Jamaat and chief election agent for the party’s Sirajganj-2 (Kamarkhand) candidate, Muhammad Zahidul Islam, stated: “It is customary to distribute funds for centre expenses and party workers before elections. The money seen at the site may have been for such purposes. Perhaps he ran out of fear. There is no conclusive evidence of vote-buying.”
Contrastingly, Saidur Rahman Bacchu, general secretary of the district BNP and chief election agent for BNP candidate Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, commented: “We have seen the video of the Jamaat leader fleeing while allegedly buying votes in Kamarkhand. Similar complaints are emerging from other areas as well. Moreover, ordinary voters are reportedly being intimidated to prevent them from reaching polling centres. We urge the authorities to take swift action.”
Local sources indicate that political activists across the Sirajganj-2 constituency often distribute cash or gifts to voters, purportedly to cover centre expenses or to garner attention. However, distinguishing between legitimate campaign expenditures and attempts to influence voters unlawfully remains a critical issue requiring careful verification.
The following table summarises the key details of the recent incident:
| Date | Time | Location | Individual | Event | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2026 | Morning | Maynakandi village, Kamarkhand | Mostak Sarkar (Jamaat leader) | Fled during cash distribution after being chased by locals | District Jamaat statement: Money may be centre expenses; no evidence of vote-buying |
| 11 Feb 2026 | Morning | Kamarkhand | Local residents | Pursued the leader | Video recorded and widely circulated |
| 11 Feb 2026 | Morning | Sirajganj-2 constituency | District BNP | Alleged irregularities and appeal to authorities | Reports of similar incidents in other areas |
This episode has reignited concerns over electoral security, voter freedom, and the regulation of campaign conduct. Authorities and the Election Commission are being called upon to investigate such incidents and take appropriate, transparent measures to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
