Uncontested-elected Awami League lawmaker of Jessore 1 constituency Sheikh Afil Uddin has directed the party men to “rig vote” so that the party candidate for Jessore 2 seat wins “unopposed” in Sunday’s general elections.
Afil, who is also the vice-president of Jessore district unit Awami League, called for bringing out victory procession within 11:59am on Sunday after casting “false votes by occupying the polling centres.”
He made the directives while speaking as chief guest at a views exchange meeting of Monirul’s polling agents on Parbazar High School premises in Jhikargachha upazila on December 30.
A video clip of his speech reached journalists yesterday.
Ruling party-nominated candidate Monirul Islam, who is also the organisational secretary of Jessore district unit, is contesting against independent candidate Rafiqul Islam for Jessore 2 constituency.
Rafiqul was state minister for energy in Awami League’s previous term. He was also a whip in parliament. Currently, he has no vital post in the district unit.
A campaigner for Rafiqul handed over a compact disc containing Afil’s speech to the district returning officer.
Contacted, District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mostafizur Rahman said an investigation committee was looking into the matter.
Afil was not available on phone to make a comment on the issue.
He said: “Do not leave the field vacant. Our 100 supporters will stay at every voting centre. They will go to the booth to cast vote and again they will queue up. This will be going on over and over again. It will create an impression among observers and journalists that many voters have gathered to cast their votes.”
Addressing the “real voters,” he said: “There is no need to go to the polling centres. They can only come to see the voting. No problem.”
He also assured the party men saying that he would handle if there was any problem from the administration.
Afil said: “It is not possible to teach you everything over microphone. If anyone needs to know the detail plan, s/he has to come to me personally.”
“Do everything nicely so that boat [AL’s symbol] gets the mandate,” he told the party supporters.
