Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Saturday warned that any attempt to rig the upcoming Thakurgaon-1 by-election could trigger political consequences similar to those following the controversial Magura-2 by-election in 1994.
“If you want to rig this election, manipulate votes or capture polling centres, you must remember the consequences of Magura,” he said while addressing the final-day election rally of Jamaat candidate Delwar Hossain in Thakurgaon.
Referring to the disputed Magura-2 by-election, Porwar said opposition parties had united against the BNP-led government following the election, eventually leading to its fall in 1996.
He alleged that attempts could be made to manipulate vote counting by placing 80 to 90 ballots bearing Jamaat’s ‘Daripalla’ symbol in a bundle of 100 votes, with only two ballots bearing the BNP’s ‘Dhaner Shish’ symbol placed on top.
Urging party supporters to remain vigilant on polling day, Porwar called on them to report any irregularities, including ballot stamping, interference with vote counting and obstruction of polling agents.
He also urged supporters to surround polling centres if they witnessed irregularities and prevent presiding officers from leaving until the allegations were addressed. He went as far as instructing them to tie such officials to posts and contact party leaders.
Porwar said a Jamaat delegation would meet the Election Commission on Sunday to demand an environment in which voters could exercise their voting rights freely and without fear.
“We will not manipulate votes or commit vote rigging, but we will not allow them to do so either,” he said.
The Jamaat leader also accused BNP leaders and activists of extortion and grabbing control of markets, transport stands, sand depots and other local establishments in Thakurgaon.
He further alleged that the appointment of fertiliser dealers had been politicised, with bribes of Tk 10 lakh to Tk 12 lakh taken for each appointment.
Porwar said Jamaat had raised the allegations at a press conference in Dhaka and challenged the BNP to respond.
He said his party would accept the people's verdict but would resist any attempt to undermine the electoral process.