MOSTAFA SHABUJ from Gaibandha

A number of presiding officers have alleged that they were forced by ruling Awami League men to make written statements that Wednesday’s voting in Gaibandha-5 by-polls was free and fair.

Some also claimed that local AL leaders and activists compelled them to write in the statements the figure of the total votes cast.

The Election Commission suspended the by-polls as the situation “went out of control” amid various irregularities.

At a press conference on Thursday, the EC held the local administration and presiding officers responsible for the irregularities.

Md Moshiur Rahman, presiding officer of the Mathorpara Dakhil Madrasa polling station in Saghata upazila, said voting was suspended at the certre around 1:00pm because of the unlawful entry of AL men into secret booths.

He said when he was preparing to return to the Shaghata upazila complex, used as the office of the upazila election officer, some 200-300 locals barred him from leaving the polling station and demanded he declare the polls results.

“They started pressing me to write a statement that the election was held in a peaceful manner. I had no other option but to comply,” he told The Daily Star yesterday.

Asked whether he sought support from the law enforcers, Moshiur said, “There were only four police personnel at the polling station and it was not possible for them to hold off such a big crowd. So, I called the on-duty executive magistrate.”