Presiding officer suspended over irregularities

Two independent candidates in the Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon) constituency have boycotted polls and the presiding officer and assistant presiding officer of a polling centre was suspended over irregularities. The centre's Awami League (AL) agent was taken into police custody.

Voting started at 111 polling centres in the Gafargaon constituency. Aside from AL candidate Fahmi Golandaj Babel, independent candidates Dr Abul Hossain Dipu and Advocate Kaisar Ahmed were significant runners for the polls. However, the two independent candidates announced at around 10am that they were boycotting the polls due to the lack of a proper electoral environment.

Gafargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer Md Shafikul Islam said, "There have been no complaints or proof of false votes. One voter did not vote behind the screen. It was the assistant presiding officer's duty to prevent that.

"For this reason, Madinatul Ulum Qaomi Madrasa Centre's presiding officer and assistant presiding officer both were suspended, and the AL candidate's agent was taken into police custody. Legal actions will be taken against them as per the Election Commission's decision."

/KN/