Jamaat-led bloc seeks halting vote in Cumilla-8, Shariatpur-2, Patuakhali-1

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-Party Alliance on Thursday demanded the suspension of voting in several centres across three constituencies, alleging irregularities and voter intimidation.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal said polling should be postponed at certain centres in Cumilla-8, Shariatpur-2 and Patuakhali-1 to ensure voters can cast ballots without fear.

He claimed that various irregularities had taken place while voting was still underway and urged the Commission to take immediate action. “There is still time to address the problems so that clean results can come,” he said, adding that the alliance had already informed the EC and submitted more than a hundred video footages and links as evidence.

Helal alleged that their polling agents were forced out of several centres in Cumilla and said the matter had been reported to the relevant election officials. 

He also claimed that in Narsingdi-4, BNP leaders and activists had forcibly sealed some areas, and pointed to alleged irregularities in Noakhali and Jhalakathi as well.

Earlier in the afternoon, an 11-party alliance delegation of around 10 members arrived at the Election Commission building at about 3:15pm to meet the CEC. The delegation included Advocate Helal and other alliance leaders, who raised their concerns over the voting situation in different constituencies.