In the 13th National Parliament elections, Mirza Abbas, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for Dhaka-8, secured a decisive win with nearly 59,000 votes. However, he has raised allegations of electoral manipulation, claiming that his main rival, Nasiruddin Patwari of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), benefited from “vote engineering” in the constituency.
On Friday, 13 February, following Jumu’ah prayers, Mirza Abbas visited his family burial grounds in Shahjahanpur, Dhaka. Speaking to journalists afterwards, he asserted:
“They do not have the support to secure these votes fairly. These numbers are the result of vote engineering. It sends a dangerous signal to the nation. We consider these irregularities an important observation for ensuring the transparency of our electoral process.”
While he acknowledged the overall victory as encouraging, Abbas expressed concern over irregularities in the ballot validation process.
“Some ballots were unjustly invalidated, which is neither fair nor lawful. We have submitted an application to the Election Commission for a recount, and we hope that the electorate will see a true reflection of their choice, Insha’Allah.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Mirza Abbas recalled working alongside revered national leaders:
“I have had the honour to serve under President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia, and the next generation of our party. This history is a matter of pride for us. Our politics must always prioritise public welfare and the development of our nation.”
Dhaka-8 Election Results Summary
| Candidate | Political Party | Total Votes | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirza Abbas | BNP | 59,366 | Declared unofficial winner |
| Nasiruddin Patwari | NCP | 54,127 | Alleged vote engineering |
| Other candidates | Various | 4,512 | – |
| Invalid ballots | – | 1,234 | Recount requested |
Mirza Abbas further emphasised the need for electoral reforms:
“I repeatedly warned that vote engineering would occur here, and it has. We understand how it was done. This is a very troubling sign for the country. Our electoral system must be strengthened and made fully transparent so that the people can trust it.”
He reassured citizens of the integrity of their participation:
“Every voter exercised their right. This verdict is historic. We hope that justice will prevail in the coming days, that each vote will be respected, and that voter rights will be protected.”
Abbas concluded with a call for political integrity and democratic values:
“Honesty in politics, respect for public opinion, and upholding democratic principles are essential. Our future generations must grow up in an environment of fair and transparent elections.”