Dhaka: A Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader died Thursday with head injuries after he was pushed by the supporters of rival Jamaat-e-Islami when he tried to stop them from committing “irregularities” at a polling station in Khulna, BNP leaders alleged, as the country voted in the first polls since the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mohibuzzaman Kachi (60), the BNP Metropolitan leader, died after the incident at the Khulna Alia Madrasa polling station around 9 am. Kachi was a former office secretary of the Khulna Metropolitan BNP.
The BNP elections steering committee press wing said Kachi was pushed by Jamaat supporters, causing him to fall and sustain a head injury, when he tried to stop them from allegedly manipulating votes at the centre.
He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead, they said.
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Voting concludes
Polls opened at 7.30 am in Bangladesh and closed at 4.30 pm (local time). The counting of votes is underway. The polling day witnessed sporadic incidents of violence.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman said his party would accept the election results if the polls are held in a free and fair manner. Referring to reports of irregularities at some polling stations, he said that attempts to mislead voters had been observed.
Bangladesh’s Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) has 350 members. Of the total 350 seats, 300 are filled through direct voting, while the remaining 50 seats—reserved for women—are filled through proportional representation. To form the government, a party or alliance must win at least 151 of the 300 seats filled through direct voting.
BNP spokesperson Mahdi Amin has said that the party is confident and “on track” to win the elections.
In an exclusive interview with ThePrint’s Debdutta Chakraborty, Amin talked about the elections, alleged rigging and scattered incidents of violence that have been reported during the polling.
“People are voting after eight years so there is widespread hunger for free, fair and credible elections where it is peaceful and people can come without fear, and vote and choose their own representatives,” he said to a question on BNP’s expectation from the polls.
He added that while isolated incidents have been reported, the law enforcement agencies and the election commission are playing a “strong role” in maintaining law and order. He also urged these stakeholders to play a “neutral” and “professional” role by ensuring that there are no irregularities.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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