Rival candidates, including Jatiya Party and independent candidate Shahjahan Bhuiyan, have accused Awami League candidate Golam Dastagir Gazi of vote rigging and attempting to dominate polling centres in Narayanganj-1. We observed polling agents with different symbols strategically positioned to support vote rigging by Golam Dastagir Gazi across various polling centres. The Narayanganj-1 constituency is heating up, with independent candidate Shahjahan Bhuiyan, also the Rupganj Upazila AL General Secretary, emerging as a strong competitor against Minister Gazi.

Live coverage of the Narayanganj-1 constituency voting can be found here:

Voters forced to cast ballots for Gazi:

Voters have allegedly been intimidated directly or indirectly to go to the polling centres and forced to cast their votes for incumbent MP Golam Dastagir Gazi in the Narayanganj-1 constituency (Rupganj) during the 12th general election. The matter was revealed while this correspondent visited the Pashchimgaon Government Primary School polling centre at Chonpara on Sunday morning. Three youths said they were like many others who were indirectly intimidated by the supporters of Gazi to come to the polling station and compelled to vote for the “Boat” symbol. Fearing reprisals, they had no option but to come to the centre, they said. Voters were intimidated on Saturday night to vote for Gazi, one of the youths said. “A panic situation is prevailing in the area,” another youth added.

Gazi buys votes, alleges JaPa candidate:

Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi has influenced voters in Rupganj through illegal financial transactions, a Jatiya Party (JaPa) candidate alleged. “Awami League-nominated candidate Golam Dastagir Gazi has already bought ‘a huge number’ of votes through illegal transactions,” JaPa candidate Saiful Islam told reporters in Rupganj on Sunday. Saiful also alleged that the opposition agents did not get identity cards properly as all election officials were working for the incumbent lawmaker. The supporters of Gazi have misbehaved with police at the Tarail Birabo centre.

Gazi supporters threaten to kill ‘Kettle’ agents in Rupganj:

Supporters of Awami League candidate for the Narayanganj-1 constituency (Rupganj) Golam Dastagir Gazi have allegedly threatened the agents of Kettle symbol to kill if they carry out duties during the 12th parliamentary election at the Tarabo Jute Research polling centre in Rupganj. Awami League’s Rupganj unit General Secretary Shahjahan Bhuiyan is contesting the national election as an independent candidate with the Kettle symbol in the constituency. Ilias Miah, an agent of the Kettle symbol, said Gazi’s men have threatened to kill him since Saturday night. “I have turned off my mobile phone due to threats on the phone. They are creating panic in this way.” Another Kettle agent, Elachi Begum said she is in fear of Ghazi supporters who also intimidated her.

Long queues of voters in Narayanganj-1 Constituency:

Voters in the Narayanganj-1 constituency form long queues as polling begins. The scene was observed at Kolatoli Government Primary School Center in Kanchan Municipality, Rupganj Upazila, Narayanganj, on Sunday (January 7). Sanaullah Mia, a voter, said the voting process proceeded without any problems, providing a smooth experience for voters. An elderly voter, casting a vote for the first time at this centre, shares, “I have been voting since 1972.” Omar Farooq Mollah, a local Jubo League worker, comments on developmental disparities in the areas, anticipating votes to reflect public sentiment. Yasmin, after voting, expresses satisfaction with the peaceful process. Abdul Halim Mia, the presiding officer, said there are a total of 3,279 voters at the centre, with 1,593 women and 1,686 men. Addressing security concerns, he assures adequate preparations for the centre’s security.