National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain on Friday claimed that the Awami League has “completely disappeared” from the national political landscape in the 13th parliamentary election.
Speaking to reporters in front of the Rangpur district returning officer and deputy commissioner’s office after confirming his victory, Akhtar said voters in Rangpur had also rejected the Jatiya Party.
“With the 11-party alliance winning six seats in Rangpur, Shapla Koli (Water Lily Bud) securing one seat and Daripalla (balance scale) winning five, it is clear that the Awami League has vanished from this election. At the same time, the Jatiya Party has also been rejected,” he said.
He added: “Just as the Jatiya Party was rejected on August 5, the people of Rangpur rejected them again on February 12. They have rejected the accomplices of dictatorship. This is a major victory for us.”
Expressing gratitude, Akhtar thanked voters, administration officials and media personnel for what he described as a neutral election.
However, he alleged that there were incidents of irregularities and clashes in different areas. “There were reports of rigging and violence in some places. We are reviewing these matters and will soon present our party and alliance’s official position,” he said.
District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan said Rangpur-4 constituency has 509,906 registered voters. Of them, 338,314 cast their ballots across 163 polling centres comprising 944 booths in Pirgachha and Kaunia upazilas.
A total of 8,263 ballots were rejected, leaving 330,051 valid votes.
Akhtar Hossain won the seat with 149,966 votes under the Shapla Koli (Water Lily Bud) symbol, defeating BNP candidate Emdadul Haque Bhorsa, who received 140,564 votes with the paddy sheaf symbol.
The “Yes” vote prevailed in the referendum in this constituency.
