Sirajganj by-polls ends with allegations of irregularities

Voting in the by-polls of Sirajganj-1 constituency ended amid allegations of irregularities which include rigging and removal of polling agents from centres this afternoon.

Voting started at 8:00am and continued till 4:00pm without any break.

BNP candidate Selim Reza alleged that supporters of Awami League candidate Tanvir Shakil Joy, son of former lawmaker Mohammad Nasim, drove out his polling agents and stuffed ballot boxes.

"Awami League men drove out our polling agents from the booths. No polling agent could stay in any polling centre due to threat of the ruling party men," Selim Reza said. He also alleged that at least seven supporters of BNP were assaulted by AL men when they went to cast vote.

Refuting the allegations, Awami League candidate Tanvir Shakil Joy said the BNP candidate brought the allegations for taking advantage in politics.

"This is nothing but political blame game. BNP men did not come to polling centres," he claimed.

Md Abul Hossain, district election officer, said no candidate brought any official allegation to them.

"The election was held in a peaceful environment. 40 percent voters cast their vote till 3:00pm," he claimed.

The constituency fell vacant following the death of Mohammad Nasim on June 13 this year.