The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance on Sunday demanded that the Election Commission (EC) conduct a recount in 32 constituencies, alleging irregularities during vote counting and the announcement of results in the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “In these 32 constituencies, our candidates lost by narrow margins. We have submitted the list to the commission and requested a recount.”
AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad alleged that polling agents of their candidates were forcibly removed from counting rooms, and those present faced intimidation when raising complaints.
He pointed to irregularities such as overwriting, erasures and missing signatures on result sheets, which he claimed disrupted the fair counting process and could have affected election outcomes.
Four election commissioners – Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah – were present at the meeting.
AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said despite the official gazette notification of elected MPs, legal avenues remain open through the EC, election tribunals, and the High Court.
He also criticised the timing of the gazette’s publication, saying candidates from remote areas were deprived of the opportunity to submit complaints.
Warning of tougher actions if post-election violence continues, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said the alliance would hold a protest rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram at 3:30pm on 16 February.
He cited reports of injuries to party supporters, including three women in his own constituency and alleged incidents similar to past election-related violence in Hatiya of Noakhali.
At the same time, the Jamaat assistant secretary general confirmed that alliance MPs would take their oaths and perform their parliamentary duties.
“We will play a constructive role in parliament while keeping our right to protest peacefully in the streets,” he said.
.jpg "Former minister, Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed dies")
