Three Fake Voters Detained in Thakurgaon-1 By-Election as EC Monitors Through CCTV and Body Cameras
Three fake voters were detained on Thursday during voting in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election. Voting, which began at 8am, will continue uninterrupted until 4pm. The Election Commission (EC) is monitoring the overall situation of the by-election through closed-circuit (CCTV) cameras and body-worn cameras carried by members of the law enforcement agencies.
The scene was witnessed around 12 noon on Thursday at the law and order coordination cell set up at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. The election situation is being observed from this cell, which comprises members of the police, BGB, army, air force and Ansar.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin visited the coordination cell at the time. Speaking to journalists after inspecting the cell at around 11am, he said the Thakurgaon-1 by-election is being given the same importance as a national election and that the Election Commission is not treating it lightly.
The CEC said: "The entire election process is being monitored centrally. We believe in transparency. We are not taking this by-election lightly. This election is being given equal importance, just like a national election."
Asked about the allegations raised by the 11-party alliance, A M M Nasir Uddin said the complaints lodged by the alliance have been resolved. He also said various allegations, including violations of the electoral code of conduct, are being considered with importance and initiatives have been taken to settle them.
He said the police, administration, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and all other relevant forces and agencies have been deployed for election duties. The Election Commission wants to hold a free, fair and peaceful election with everyone's cooperation. Its goal, he said, is to move away from a culture of conflict and build a festive election culture, so that a beautiful and positive electoral culture takes root in the country.
The constituency, comprising Thakurgaon Sadar, Ruhia and Bhulli upazilas, has a total of 516,139 voters — 257,476 men, 258,659 women and four hijra voters. There are 185 polling centres and 989 polling booths in the seat. A total of 3,152 officials, including presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers, are on duty for the voting.
Five candidates are contesting the by-election: Mirza Faisal Amin of the BNP (sheaf of paddy), Md Delawar Hossain of Jamaat-e-Islami (scales), Md Abdul Alim Nizami of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (banyan tree), Hafez Dr Md Khademul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan) and Husain Muhammad Omar Faruk of Bangladesh Congress (green coconut).
Among them, BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin has expressed hundred percent optimism about winning the by-election.
