Vote-buying allegations against Jamaat activists

Chapainawabganj Correspondent :

In Chapainawabganj, allegations of vote-buying have been raised against Alhaj Mostakim and several Jamaat activists. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night in Dubnipara, Chakla village, Daipukhuria Union of ShibganjUpazila. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. The Jamaat leadership, however, denies the allegations.

Atikul Islam Jewel, Secretary of the Election Committee of BNP in Daipukhuria Union, stated that Mostakim and a few of his associates were going house-to-house in Dubnipara village, offering money to voters in an attempt to buy votes.

When they tried to hand money to a voter named Saban, local residents intervened and detained Mostakim and his associate Monirul, though other accomplices managed to flee with the cash.

The video shows a scuffle between Mostakim, Monirul, and local residents, including some physical confrontation. TosikulAlam, Secretary of ShibganjUpazila BNP, said he had heard about the incident but that locals released the accused after being assured that such incidents would not recur.

Attempts to reach Alhaj Mostakim for comment were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, ShibganjUpazila Jamaat Amir Sadikul Islam stated that the activists would never attempt to buy votes, adding that they cannot even afford small expenses like tea for voters, and promised to follow up on the matter.

Chapainawabganj District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Shahadat Hossain Masud confirmed that no written or verbal complaints regarding vote-buying have been received so far. He said any verified complaints will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken.