Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the BNP’s election management committee and adviser to the party chairman, on Thursday called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant to ensure that the results of the 13th National Parliament Election are announced accurately.
He made the remarks at a press conference at the BNP election management office in Gulshan, Dhaka.
Mahdi expressed gratitude to the Election Commission, the armed forces, the caretaker government, and law enforcement agencies involved in the election. He also extended condolences to the families of those injured or killed in election-related violence.
He alleged that violence, rigging, and the use of black money occurred in multiple locations from the night before the vote in an effort to make the election controversial. He also claimed that intimidation was used to keep voters away from polling centers, adding that voter turnout could have been higher if such incidents had not occurred.
At the press briefing, Mahdi also alleged cases of pre-stamped ballots, fake votes, and instances where genuine voters were prevented from casting their votes. He said there were even reports of votes being cast in the names of deceased individuals, calling these incidents a repetition of past electoral irregularities.
He claimed that fake local observers were deployed to obstruct voter participation, noting that the Election Commission had been informed in advance. While some measures were taken, he argued that more effective action could have prevented irregularities.
Mahdi also alleged attempts to instill fear among voters through social media, but asserted that with public support, BNP’s victory is inevitable.
He urged the elected government to respect the expectations of the people, and called on party leaders and activists to remain active in the field to ensure that no irregularities occur during vote counting and the announcement of results.