Dhaka, Nov 30 (bdnews24.com)—The Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip) panel claimed victory in the biennial Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) elections early on Friday amid allegations by the pro-BNP Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) that the vote was rigged.
The Awami League-backed doctors declared the win when vote counts were underway at the BMA Bhaban. Around 1:15am, DAB agents stormed out to allege vote rigging.
The DAB agents, present at the Bhaban, came out following Dr AZM Zahid Hossain who claimed that rigging had taken place.
"We are rejecting the election. New election must be held," he said and added that 301 extra ballot papers had been found in the boxes at one of the centres.
BMA Election Commission President Dr Abdur Rahman Khan told bdnews24.com the results will be formally announced on Friday afternoon.
In response to the DAB leader's claim, Swachip's Dr Iqbal Arslan said, "Their statement is unacceptable. We were together during the whole balloting process, during vote counts. When the result is almost final, such statement from them is not acceptable."
The polls kicked off at around 8:30am and ended at 5:00pm at 67 BMA branches countrywide.
Dr Mahmud Hasan is the presidential runner and Dr Arslan is gunning for the office of Secretary General from Swachip. Dr AKM Azizul Haque is vying for the post of President and Dr Zahid Hossain for Secretary General from Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB).
As many as 33,892 doctors were expected to give their mandate in the 'crucial' election that comes just a year before the government runs its term.
Balloting was suspended in Kushtia due to ballot paper errors. Results from Chittagong centre was not announced as ballot papers were reportedly hijacked.
bdnews24.com Chittagong office reported that the port city centre's result was not announced as ballot papers were snatched.
Dr Arslan informed bdnews24.com that they were way ahead in the race and going to win the polls as the ruling party-backed panel was clearly leading in results of 59 centres including Dhaka.
bdnews24.com correspondent Nurul Islam Hasib reporting from the spot said supporters of both panels had gathered at the BMA Bhaban in the early hours and were shouting slogans in support of their groups.
Police took position between the two groups to avert any unpleasant incident.
The BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami-backed doctors had boycotted the polls in Mymensingh and claimed irregularities in Shariatpur.
BMA Election Commission President had told bdnews24.com the balloting was 'peaceful', dispelling claims of irregularities.
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