Chief Coordinator of National Citizen Party (NCP) Nasiruddin Patwary on Monday alleged “election engineering” in the 13th national election and warned that any future mass uprising would lead to a complete overhaul of the Election Commission (EC), including holding those involved in conducting the polls accountable.
He made the remarks while speaking at a programme held at the Election Training Institute (ETI) in Dhaka’s Agargaon, organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), where he also said that those who led the commission during the election process would face trial in the future.
Nasiruddin Patwary claimed that irregularities in the election process had affected results in several constituencies. He cited Cox’s Bazar Jamaat leader Hamidur Rahman Azad, alleging that he lost his seat due to “election engineering,” while NCP leader Abdullah Al Amin of Narayanganj-4 regained his constituency following what he described as manipulation.
Describing the election as “fully engineered,” the NCP leader said similar irregularities in upcoming local government elections would face strong resistance. He added that he was aware the chief election commissioner was present at the event when he made the remarks.
“Perhaps after this speech I will not be allowed into this office again. But if there is another mass uprising, the Election Commission will be the first institution I will change from top to bottom,” he said.
He further alleged involvement of agencies including DGFI and NSI in influencing results through deputy commissioners on election day. Patwary also criticised the commission for allowing loan defaulters to contest and for failing to prevent clashes during polling.
Recalling incidents from the 12 February polls, he said BNP leader Afroza Abbas had mobilised a large crowd outside a divisional commissioner’s office, adding that he avoided escalation by withdrawing despite having the capacity to gather a far larger number of supporters.
