NCP leader Sarjis calls for complaint-free voting environment

Sarjis Alam, candidate for Panchagarh-1 and a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has said there will be no grounds for complaints if the administration performs its duties professionally to ensure a free, fair and impartial election.

“We did not come to this election to make allegations against anyone. We want an environment where there is no need to complain,” he said.

“But if there is any use of muscle power, obstruction at polling centres, or attempts to influence the results anywhere, we will first place our trust in the administration. If they fail, we will resist it with the people.”

Sarjis, chief organiser of the NCP’s northern region and candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, made the remarks on Thursday morning after casting his vote at the Bamonkumar Rakhaldebi Hat Ideal High School centre in Toroya Union of Atwari Upazila.

His father, Aktaruzzaman, and brother, Shahadat Hossain Sakib, voted at the same time. The three arrived together at the polling centre, spent some time on the premises and exchanged greetings with voters outside.

Sarjis later joined the queue of voters and waited before entering the polling booth to cast his ballot.

After voting, he told journalists: “In a festive atmosphere, I cast my vote for the Shapla Koli symbol and voted ‘yes’ in the referendum.”

“With hopes for a new democracy, we cast our votes today. I hope we will ultimately get a fair election. We must maintain trust in the people’s vote and opinion,” he added.

Sarjis alleged that in recent days some BNP leaders and activists in his constituency had attempted to obstruct voters, issue threats and create an intimidating atmosphere.

However, he expressed hope that no untoward incidents would occur on polling day.

He said that if voting is completed peacefully at all 155 centres in Panchagarh-1, his camp is prepared to accept the people’s verdict.

Sarjis claimed that voters would make their decision based on the activities of various political parties over the past year and a half.

He also said a “wave of public support” had emerged in the constituency, adding that if all political parties act with tolerance, his alliance would win in every ward across the 23 unions and the municipality in Panchagarh-1.

Voter turnout at the centre was noticeable from the morning. The presiding officer, Dr Mohammad Abdullah, said voting had been proceeding peacefully and that the law-and-order situation remained normal. The centre has 5,969 registered voters, including 3,041 men and 2,928 women.

Sarjis is contesting against six other candidates in Panchagarh-1. His main rival is BNP-nominated candidate Barrister Nawshad Zamir, the party’s central committee secretary for international affairs and the son of former speaker Barrister Jamirddin Sircar.