Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed outside the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, amid a protest by leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Sunday, January 18.
The deployment followed a sit-in programme launched around 11:00 am, protesting alleged irregularities in postal ballots sent to expatriate voters, including the placement of the BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, along with two other issues.
Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib warned that protesters would continue their demonstration overnight and lay siege to the EC office if their demands were not met, prompting heightened security measures.
Confirming the matter, BGB Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam said that the force was stationed in front of the EC headquarters to maintain law and order.
Addressing the gathering, Rakibul Islam Rakib alleged that the placement of the sheaf of paddy symbol in ballot folds was part of a deliberate conspiracy.
He also criticised what he termed controversial and unprecedented directives issued by the Election Commission regarding the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Student Union election, calling them a threat to democratic practice.
Senior Chhatra Dal leaders, including General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, were present at the protest.
KR/MHK