The Rajshahi constituencies remain embroiled in controversy as allegations of intimidation and vote buying continue to mar the electoral process. Despite the official end of campaign activities, candidates from the ruling Awami League party have reportedly carried on with their electioneering efforts in at least four constituencies within Rajshahi.
Feasts, Money Distribution, and Threats
According to independent rivals, the AL candidates have resorted to various tactics to sway the voters in their favor. Feasts have allegedly been organized, money has been distributed, and voters have been threatened with the removal of their names from government allowances. Golam Rabbani, an independent candidate from Rajshahi-1, claimed that AL candidate Omor Faruk Chowdhury organized a feast for voters in Bohera, Chowrak, and Chandankotha villages on Friday night. Although a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) team was dispatched to these villages, the feasts had concluded by the time they arrived.
Money and Favoritism
Actor Mahiya Mahi, another independent aspirant from the constituency, accused the AL candidate of distributing money among voters at multiple locations. She cleverly advised her supporters to accept the money but ultimately vote for her. Shahnewaj Ayesha Akter Jahan Dalia, an independent candidate from the same seat, echoed these allegations.
Shafiqur Rahman Badsha, an independent candidate from Rajshahi-2, stated that the AL-led 14-party candidate Fazle Hossain Badsha and his supporters had been visiting voters from low-income groups door-to-door until Saturday. He claimed that they had gone as far as threatening people with the deprivation of government allowances. In fact, a viral video captured the moment a ward councillor made such threats.
Counter Allegations and Complaints
Fazle Hossain Badsha, who is also the general secretary of the Workers’ Party, countered the allegations made by the independent candidate. He submitted complaints against four ward councillors from the Rajshahi City Corporation, accusing them of threatening voters with the loss of government allowances if they did not vote for the independent candidate.
Similar Allegations in Other Constituencies
Similar allegations have been raised in other Rajshahi constituencies as well. Obaidur Rahman, an independent aspirant from Rajshahi-5, accused AL candidate Kazi Abdul Wadud Dara of distributing money among voters. In Rajshahi-6, independent candidate Md Rahenul Haque made similar claims against AL candidate Mohammad Shahriar Alam, who also serves as the state minister for foreign affairs. Furthermore, in Rajshahi-4, the AL candidate Abul Kalam Azad’s election agents alleged that independent candidate and incumbent lawmaker Enamul Haque distributed money among voters at his cold storage facility in Bagmara upazila on Friday.
Official Response
Returning officer Shamim Ahmed assured that they are diligently addressing each allegation made by the candidates. However, he emphasized that most of the allegations lacked any factual basis. In response to the specific claim made in Bagmara, BGB personnel were dispatched to Enamul Haque’s cold storage, but no evidence of money distribution was found. Furthermore, the presence of executive magistrates and other monitoring teams in the constituencies has curtailed any continuation of campaign activities by the candidates.
Despite the ongoing allegations and counter-allegations, the electoral authorities remain committed to ensuring a fair and transparent election process. The people of Rajshahi eagerly await the opportunity to exercise their right to vote and determine the future of their constituencies.
