Presiding officer withdraws after signing result sheet before vote counting in Naogaon

Naogaon Correspondent

A presiding officer in Naogaon has been removed from duty (closed) for allegedly signing and sealing the result sheet in advance before the vote counting and announcement of the results.

The accused officer is Nazim Uddin, Deputy Assistant Engineer at the Naogaon Roads and Highways Department.

This sensational irregularity occurred at Katkhair High School in Naogaon Sadar Upazila around 12 noon on Thursday (February 12).

Considering the seriousness of the incident, Assistant Returning Officer and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Ibnul Abedin ordered him to be relieved of his duties at around 1:30 pm.

According to the election rules, after the voting is completed, the result sheet must be filled out and signed in the presence of polling agents after the counting, but the fact that the official signed it in advance creates a risk of fraud.

Admitting his mistake in this regard, Nazim Uddin said, “It takes a lot of time to prepare the results after the voting. For the convenience of work and to save time, I had already signed it. However, I did not know whether it was legal or not.”

The administration has identified this incident as a clear irregularity. Naogaon Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer Mohammad Ibnul Abedin said, “There is no provision to sign the result sheet before counting the votes. This is a clear irregularity. As the allegations were found to be true, the officer was immediately removed from the election duty. A new presiding officer has been appointed in his place at the center.”

Currently, voting activities are being conducted at the center under the supervision of a new official.