Sherpur-1 BNP candidate Priyanka to challenge election result in court

She questions how her party secured as few as 7 votes in some centres, calling the outcome “not credible”

BNP candidate Sunsila Jabrin Priyanka has announced plans to move court, raising objections to the results of the Sherpur-1 (Sadar) constituency in the elections.

On Thursday, she demanded a re-election.

She lost to Jamaat-e-Islami candidate and former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir Rashedul Islam by more than 50,000 votes.

Rashedul secured 130,989 votes, while Priyanka received 77,521.

“Of course I will go to court. I have applied to the EC seeking suspension of the results and demanding a re-election,” she said at a press conference at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.

Presenting what she described as evidence, Priyanka alleged that several result sheets lacked presiding officers’ signatures and seals, while many omitted polling agents’ names, signatures and NID numbers.

“How did the returning and assistant returning officers accept vote count sheets without the presiding officer’s and polling agents’ names, NIDs and signatures?” she asked.

She alleged that ruling-party activists acted as presiding officers in some centres and that fake votes were cast freely in Jamaat-supporting areas.

“Despite being a major political party like the BNP, I received 7 votes in one centre, 27, 39, 49 and 96 in others, which is in no way believable.”

Priyanka said the party is aware of the allegations and “will certainly take steps” in due course.