Allegations have surfaced that a presiding officer at polling station in Naogaon signed and sealed a result sheet before the completion of vote counting and the official announcement.
The incident occurred around 12:00 pm on Thursday at the Katkhair High School polling center in Sadar Upazila.
Following the complaint, the presiding officer, Nazim Uddin, was withdrawn from duty around 1:30 pm by the assistant returning officer and Sadar Upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Mohammad Ibnul Abedin.
Nazim Uddin, who is reportedly serving as an assistant sub-engineer in the Naogaon Roads and Highways Department, allegedly placed his signature and official seal on the designated result sheet while voting was still ongoing.
According to election rules, the result sheet is required to be completed and signed in the presence of polling agents only after the counting of votes is finished.
When questioned about the incident, Nazim Uddin admitted to signing the result sheet in advance, explaining that preparing it after voting takes time and that he did so to save time. He, however, claimed he was unaware whether the practice complied with election regulations.
UNO Mohammad Ibnul Abedin clarified that there is no provision allowing a result sheet to be signed before vote counting. Following verification of the allegation, Nazim Uddin has been removed from his election duties at the center, and a new presiding officer will be appointed.