Ashraful Alom, widely known as Hero Alam, has appealed to the Election Commission seeking cancellation of the results of the July 17 by-polls and demanding fresh election in the constituency.
Hero Alom, who contested as an independent candidate, went to the EC office in the capital's Agargaon around 12:00 noon today.
After exiting the building, he told reporters that the election was not held in a fair manner. He also levelled allegations of fake voting.
"I have video footage [regarding casting of fake votes]. Children aged 12-13 years cast votes. One girl cast 10-15 votes ... they were forced to go to the polling station. I have submitted an appeal to the Chief Election Commissioner along with video footage. We want cancellation of the election result with a demand of fresh election."
Asked about EC's response to his complaint, he said, "I called the returning officer [of the Dhaka-17 by-polls] yesterday. He asked me to write to the chief election commissioner. Therefore, I appealed here today."
He also called upon the Cabinet and Speaker of parliament to ensure that Arafat A Rahman, the Awami League candidate who won the by-polls, cannot take oath as lawmaker.
"There is no environment for holding free and fair polls in the country.
"I took part in three elections under this government. I participated in the 2018 polls; I was beaten then. In 2023, I took part in the Bogura by-polls, I was also beaten there. I took part in the election here [Dhaka-17] and I was also physically assaulted here. Then how can we expect a fair election under this government?"
Ruling AL candidate Arafat won in the Dhaka-17 by-polls, with around 88.49 percent voters not showing up for voting.
Arafat bagged 28,816 votes while Hero Alom got the next highest 5,609 votes.
