Accusations of planned voter transfer against Jamaat: BNP Seeks Seat-by-Seat Data

Staff Correspondent

BNP has asked the Election Commission for detailed information on constituency-based voter migration, alleging planned voter migration ahead of the upcoming national elections.

The party alleges that in the last one and a half years, an unusual rate of voter transfer has taken place in various areas of the country, especially in Dhaka metropolis, due to the organized role of a particular political party. According to BNP leaders, this allegation is mainly against Jamaat-e-Islami.

Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP’s standing committee and head of the election management committee, made these remarks after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon in the capital on Sunday (February 1) around 12 noon. BNP leaders indicated in the meeting that Jamaat’s election activities are relatively more visible in areas where there are the most complaints of voter transfer.

The party claims that voters are being transferred in a planned manner to take advantage of the polling stations.

“Unusual increase in voter turnout, not satisfied with EC’s explanation”

Nazrul Islam Khan said,

“In the past year and a half, there has been a lot of voter migration to different areas of the country, including Dhaka city. In some areas, many new voters have suddenly joined, which is not normal. Such an incident has never been seen before.”

He said that the Election Commission has stated that no more than two to three thousand voters have migrated in any constituency. However, the BNP is not satisfied with this explanation. “We know for sure that the information we have received is much higher than this. Those who gave the information to the EC did not give the correct information,” said Nazrul Islam Khan.

The BNP leader said the purpose of seeking information on seat-based voter transfers from the commission is to verify the matter transparently.
“If there is anything suspicious in this, then the Election Commission should take appropriate action,” he added.

Allegations of fake address and ‘holding manipulation’

Raising more serious allegations about the voter list, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We have received complaints of holding numbers where even four or five people never live, yet 20-30 voters are shown there.”

He said, “This is not a new incident and an organized group may be involved in it. As you know, there have been various scams regarding voter ID and bKash numbers in the past. Those bad guys are probably involved in fake voters and planned voter transfer.”

According to the BNP’s allegations, attempts are being made to influence the election results in certain areas through these activities, with Jamaat-e-Islami being named as a beneficiary.

Objections to involving students in election work

In the meeting, BNP also objected to the possible decision to involve cadets of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) in electoral work. Nazrul Islam Khan said, “They are young and students. If they are involved in a complex political process like the parliamentary elections, they and the institution could become controversial.”

He said the Election Commission has assured to discuss the matter and take a decision.

Concerns about ‘peace committee’

Nazrul Islam Khan also said that some parties are discussing the formation of so-called ‘peace committees’ in the constituencies. He said

“The very word ‘peace committee’ is unpopular with us,”

However, the Election Commission said that they have not taken any such decision.

External staff and observer issues

BNP has also expressed concern over the presence of outside political workers in the constituency. The party has requested that those who are not voters in the area should leave the area in the days leading up to the polls. In addition, regarding the appointment of domestic observers, Nazrul Islam Khan said that more than 55,000 observers from 81 organizations have been approved, some of which are not well-known organizations.

“The responsibility should be given to an institution that has the capacity to monitor,” he said.

Allegations of using religious sentiments to solicit votes

Alleging violation of the election code of conduct, the BNP leader said that some parties are seeking votes by capitalizing on religious beliefs and emotions.
“Seeking votes by saying that questions will be asked in the grave is not only a violation of the law, but also an insult to the religious sentiments of the people,” he said.

Also present at the meeting from the BNP side were Chairperson’s Advisor Ismail Zabiullah, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed and former Acting Secretary of the Election Commission Dr. Mohammad Zakaria.