UP chairman arrested at Sirajganj polling centre for 'buying votes'

The detainee was buying votes for Aminul Islam Sarkar, a candidate running for Upazila chairman, police say

The Detective Branch of police have arrested a Union Parishad chairman for trying to buy votes for a candidate running for chairman in the Upazila Parishad elections in Sirajganj’s Belkuchi Upazila.

He was arrested near the Tamai Paschimpara Government Primary School polling centre around noon on Wednesday, said Zulhaz Uddin, chief of the Sirajganj district DB.

The detainee, Zahurul Islam, is chairman of the Bhangabari Union Parishad. He is accused of buying votes for Aminul Islam Sarkar, who is running under the pen and ink symbol.

“UP Chairman Zahurul Islam was buying votes for the chairman candidate running under the pen and ink symbol right next to the centre,” OC Zulhaz said. “When police heard of the situation, they caught him in the act with Tk 94,000 in cash.”

A case is being prepared over the incident, the OC said.