‘Is This An Election Or A Takeover’: Awami League Questions Poll Integrity In Bangladesh

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 08:09 IST

Referring to Ward 43, Awami League said a polling centre was reportedly occupied in advance and that ballot papers were being stamped without voters present.

As Bangladesh polls today after a long gap since the Sheikh Hasina government was overthrown, the Awami League has alleged serious irregularities in the voting process, claiming that ballot stuffing and procedural violations have taken place even before polling formally began. Follow Live Updates Here

In a post on social media, the party wrote: “Overnight Ballots, Empty Polling Stations — Is This an Election or a Takeover? No voters. No transparency. No democracy."

Referring to Ward 43 of Dhaka-6, it alleged that the Jubilee School and College polling centre was reportedly occupied in advance and that ballot papers were being stamped without voters present. “This is not democratic participation, this is control," the post said.

The party further claimed that reports suggest polling stations are being seized before voting begins, with “overnight votes" cast without public presence.

“When ballots are stamped without voters, democracy becomes a performance, not a process," the Awami League stated, adding that if such a model spreads nationwide, it would mean “occupied polling stations, voterless ballot stuffing, administrative inaction." It warned, “an election without voters is not an election, it is a warning."

In another post, the party raised fresh concerns and said: “Blank result sheet signed Before voting begins: Allegations Raise Fresh Questions Over Electoral Integrity."

It referred to a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows a presiding officer signing a blank result sheet inside a polling booth on the night prior to voting. The video is said to be from the Gagan School polling centre in the Barguna-1 constituency.

The post noted that under Bangladesh’s electoral rules, presiding officers are required to sign official result sheets only after voting has concluded and ballots have been counted in accordance with established procedures.

There has been no immediate official statement from authorities regarding the authenticity of the video or the circumstances surrounding the alleged signing.

With polling either imminent or underway, the allegations have added to scrutiny over transparency and electoral integrity at a sensitive political moment.

News world ‘Is This An Election Or A Takeover’: Awami League Questions Poll Integrity In Bangladesh

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