The by-election result for Tangail 8 seat has been postponed for what officials said foul play in one centre. 19 people have been suspended.
The assistant returning officer was forced to declare false result for pressure from the ruling party, authorities said in a press conference on Sunday.
Returning Officer Sayad Mohammad Khurshid Anwar announced the suspension in a press conference.
“Voting at Ghachua Government Primary School was suspended for false vote casting and violence. 19 people, including presiding officer, assistant presiding officer and polling officer have been suspended for not performing duties properly.”
The Election Commission has been informed to undertake voting again at the suspended centre, after which the by-poll result will be declared, he said.
In response to queries regarding if Assistant Returning Officer Habiba Akhter had the authority to declare poll-result, Anwar said “she was pressurised by Awami League supporters.”
Habiba Akhter, also the upazila election officer for Sakhipur upazila, filed a general diary with Tangail Model Police in this regard, according to Anwar.
The by-election for Tangail 8, Sakhipur-Basail, constituency was held on Saturday, after the seat fell vacant following the death of local MP Shawkat Momen Shahjahan.