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Published : 26 Jun 2014, 08:57 PM
Returning Officer Mihir Sarowar Morshed announced initial results from 140 centres on Thursday night.
Osman, a businessman-turned-politician, bagged 82,856 votes while former Awami League leader Akram polled 66,114.
The seat fell vacant after the death of Osman's elder brother Nasim Osman on Apr 30.
Result of a single centre has been suspended. However, with 2,026 voters it will have little bearing on the outcome.
Returning Officer Morshed said unofficial results would be announced on Friday morning.
Voting took place amid allegations of rigging and polling centre siege and Selim’s brother Awami League MP Shamim Osman threatening an on-duty police officer.
The Election Commission (EC), however, claimed that the polls were held in a fair manner.
With the latest victory, the powerful Osman family now has MPs from two constituencies in the district. Younger Osman, Shamim, is an MP from Narayanganj-4.
Defeated Akram was an Awami League MP from the seat in 2001.
He was the district unit convenor of the Awami League but left the party following difference of opinions with its high-ups over nomination of candidate in Narayanganj City Corporation polls held three years ago.
Later he joined Nagorik Oikya, led by former Awami League leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna.
Akram, talking to reporters Thursday night at his Thana Pukur residence, rejected the results claiming irregularities during the ballot and that his rival tried to occupy the polling centres and rigged votes.
He also alleged the EC and local administration did not try to stop them.
But the commission shrugged off his allegations.
Earlier, he told bdnews24.com: “My agents at three centres have been forced out. Efforts were made to occupy centres.”
Earlier in the day, Osman, current BKMEA president, said he was satisfied with the voting environment and would accept the result.
After the results, speaking with journalists at his Chasharah home Osman said, “The people of Narayanganj needed this win. I want the propagandas regarding Narayanganj to stop.”
He urged his supporters to take out any victory march.
The voters decided the result, he said, adding that he wanted help from SM Akram and former MP Abul Kalam to develop the port city.
Regarding Akram’s rejection, Osman said, “This is an outburst of frustration. It won’t last long. I would’ve done the same if I was in his place.”
Apart from stray allegations, no untoward incident was reported during the voting held just two months after abductions and murders of seven people at the end of April.
An on-duty police officer claimed Shamim had threatened him over phone. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said they would look into it.
Voter turnout seemed to be low as the polls were boycotted by the BNP and the ruling Awami League decided not to contest the elections.
Returning Officer Morshed, however, said voter turnout was higher in the afternoon than in the morning.
Many voters who went to polling centres have alleged harassment over voter serial numbers.
Sexagenarian Malati Ghosh said, "I've voted many times but was never harassed as much as this time.
"I won't vote again."
