Zonayed Saki, the Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan and the BNP-led alliance candidate for the Brahmanbaria-6 (Bancharampur) constituency, has launched a scathing critique of the electoral climate. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Saki claimed that a sophisticated and “nationwide plan for election engineering” orchestrated by Jamaat-e-Islami has become increasingly transparent to the public.
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Allegations of Tactical Manipulation
Addressing journalists at the Bancharampur Upazila headquarters, Saki expressed grave concerns regarding the integrity of the upcoming polls. He argued that certain political factions are prioritising manipulative tactics over the genuine mandate of the people. According to Saki, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance is employing “archaic yet dangerous” strategies to subvert the democratic process.
Saki detailed several specific methods he believes are being prepared to distort the final count. These include:
Proxy Voting: Exploiting the records of absent voters to cast fraudulent ballots.
Chemical Interference: The alleged procurement of chemicals or “medicines” designed to erase indelible ink from voters’ fingers, allowing for multiple voting.
Manufactured Unrest: Deliberately inciting “mobs” at polling stations to intimidate genuine voters and deter them from participating.
Centre Occupation: Coordinated efforts to seize control of polling booths and distribute “black money” to influence outcomes.
Concerns Over Administrative Neutrality
The Ganosamhati Andolan leader warned that such engineering could only succeed if the local administration remains indifferent or biased. “We have submitted formal complaints regarding the distribution of illegal funds and plans for booth capturing,” Saki stated. While he acknowledged that the authorities have offered assurances of intervention, he remained cautious about the actual implementation of these promises.
Summary of Alleged Malpractices in Brahmanbaria-6
| Category | Description of Alleged Activity |
| Primary Target | Absentee voter lists and the elderly |
| Tactical Tools | Ink-erasing chemicals and coordinated mobs |
| Financial Misconduct | Circulation of “black money” to sway voters |
| Strategic Goal | Artificial inflation of voter turnout for specific symbols |
| Administrative Complaint | Filed with local police and election officials |
A Call for Vigilance
The press conference was attended by prominent local figures, including Mehdi Hasan Palash, President of the Bancharampur Upazila BNP, and M.A. Khalek, a member of the BNP Executive Committee and former Member of Parliament. Together, they called upon the electorate to remain vigilant and resist any attempts at intimidation.
Saki concluded by reiterating that the “Bancharampur model” of election engineering is reflective of a broader, more sinister national trend. He urged the international observer missions and the media to monitor the “mobs” specifically, as they are often used as a smokescreen for the illicit activities occurring inside the polling booths.