Mirza Abbas, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for the Dhaka-8 parliamentary constituency, has alleged attempted infiltration and possible electoral malpractice at several polling stations ahead of the upcoming vote. He claims that activists affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are preparing to unlawfully enter polling centres and destabilise the electoral process.
The allegations were made on Wednesday evening (11 February) at a press conference held at his residence in Shahjahanpur, Dhaka. Abbas stated that, according to reliable sources, groups linked to Jamaat and its student wing, as well as the NCP, have been gathering around various polling stations and are planning coordinated entry from the early hours of polling day.
He further alleged that between 200 and 300 armed individuals are positioned in residential buildings, student hostels, and madrasas in the Arambagh area and its surroundings. Abbas warned that these individuals might attempt to seize control of polling centres, intimidate voters, and interfere with the ballot process once voting begins.
According to Abbas, at least seven polling stations, including Siddheswari Girls’ School in Ramna, have already witnessed attempted intrusions. He said that BNP activists and local residents resisted these efforts and detained several suspicious individuals, who were later handed over to Ramna Police Station. However, Abbas claimed that the detainees were subsequently released, raising questions about the neutrality of law enforcement agencies.
He also referred to what he described as “election engineering,” suggesting organised attempts to manipulate the outcome. Calling on the administration to act decisively, Abbas urged enhanced security at all polling centres, close surveillance of suspicious groups, and rapid remedial measures to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
Selected Polling Stations in Dhaka-8 Facing Allegations
| Serial | Polling Station Name | Location | Nature of Allegation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siddheswari Girls’ School | Ramna | Attempted infiltration |
| 2 | Arambagh High School | Motijheel | Risk of centre seizure |
| 3 | Shahjahanpur Government Primary School | Shahjahanpur | Gathering of outsiders |
| 4 | Kamalapur High School | Kamalapur | Suspicious presence reported |
No immediate response was available from Jamaat-e-Islami or the National Citizen Party regarding the allegations.
Abbas concluded by expressing confidence that voters would participate freely and resist any attempts to disrupt the democratic process. He reiterated his appeal to the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to act impartially and firmly, ensuring that citizens can exercise their voting rights without fear or obstruction.