In a serious breach of electoral protocol, two assistant presiding officers (APOs) at Habibpur Secondary School polling station in Uzirpur Upazila, Barishal District, have been dismissed for attending a political meeting with a local Jamaat leader without authorisation. The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, around 11:00 pm, during the ongoing parliamentary election process.
Local sources reported that the officers left the polling station without permission and proceeded to the residence of the Jamaat ameer to participate in the meeting. Upon receiving the information, the Uzirpur Upazila administration immediately took action to investigate the matter.
The details of the dismissed officers are as follows:
| Name | Designation | Reason for Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Md. Obaidul Haque | Assistant Presiding Officer | Left polling station without permission; attended meeting with Jamaat leader |
| Ayesha Akter | Assistant Presiding Officer | Left polling station without permission; attended meeting with Jamaat leader |
Uzirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Ali Suja confirmed the dismissals, stating: “The allegations have been thoroughly verified. The officers have been relieved of their duties and replacements appointed immediately. No officer is allowed to leave the polling station without the explicit permission of the presiding officer. Their conduct violated electoral regulations and involved engagement with a political party, which is strictly prohibited.”
The dismissed officers have denied the allegations. “We only stepped out briefly to get some food. The accusations against us are false,” they claimed.
Following the incident, administrative supervision at polling stations across the upazila has been strengthened. Newly appointed officers are ensuring proper electoral operations and security, and the UNO emphasised: “All personnel must strictly adhere to election rules. Leaving a polling station without authorisation or engaging in political activities under any circumstances will not be tolerated.”
Local residents have welcomed the prompt administrative action, highlighting the importance of transparency and integrity in the electoral process. The swift response has not only reinforced confidence among voters but also demonstrated the administration’s commitment to preventing undue influence and irregularities at polling centres.
With polling underway, authorities have pledged continuous monitoring to maintain the credibility of the election and ensure that all officials perform their duties impartially and in accordance with the law.