Dhaka-17 constituency MP candidate, Ashraful Hossen Alom, popularly known as Hero Alom, has alleged that several of his polling agents have been harassed at the Banani Model High School polling centre.
He said members of the law enforcement agencies did not let the polling agents stay at the centre as well.
He made the comments after visiting the Banani Model High School polling centre at around 10:10am on Monday.
In this regard, Presiding Officer Mahbubul Alam, said no such incident of harassment took place there.
He told Dhaka Tribune that some of the polling agents of Hero Alom did not have any photographs on their ID cards, hence authorities sent them to attach photos.
Hero Alom, an independent candidate with the “Ektara” symbol, said he would remain on the ground until the very end. He alleged that under such circumstances, conducting fair polls would be difficult.
The independent MP candidate said he has so far visited seven to eight polling centes since morning, and claimed the voter turnout was low.
In view of Hero Alam's complaints, M Brata Debnath, presiding officer at Jamia Muhammadia Islamia Madrassa centre, said that there was no incident of expelling the polling agents of any candidates in this centre. “We found polling agents of four parties here including Ektara, Rose, Plough and Boat symbols.”
He said the number of voters in this center is 3,456, 303 votes have been cast till last 11pm, we hope to cast 1,000 votes at the end of the day.”
Another Presiding Officer Alimujjaman said voting has been ongoing in a fair and peaceful manner. “No untoward incidents took place here. Hero Alom provided completely false information.”
Balloting for the Dhaka-17 by-polls began at 8am on Monday.
The voting will continue till 4pm.
Voters were seen at several polling centres in Banani and Gulshan since 7am amidst the rain.
The number of voters is 325,205 under 125 polling stations in the Dhaka-17 constituency, which comprises wards 15,18,19 and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as the Dhaka cantonment area.
A total of eight MP candidates are contesting in the by-polls. The candidates are Mohammad Arafat (Boat), Ashraful Hossen Alom alias Hero Alom (Ektara), Major (retd) Sikder Anisur Rahman (Plough), Kazi Md Rashedul Hassan Rashed (Rose), Major (retd) Sheikh Habibur Rahman (Sonali Aash), Rezaul Islam Swapan (Green Coconut), Mohammad Akhter Hossain (Chari) and Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan (Truck).