Islami Andolan Bangladesh – the only single party which nominated its candidates in 299 constituencies – rejected the 11th general poll results, amid claims of torture and intimidation against its polling agents and voters by ruling party leaders and law enforcement officers.
Party Ameer and Chief Charmonai Pir Syed Rezaul Karim came up with the allegations at a press conference arranged at their central party office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka on Tuesday.
Syed Rezaul said: “We are rejecting the results of the 11th general polls as it failed to reflect people’s opinion.”
He alleged that a level playing field was absent since the announcement of the election schedule, adding that: “Ruling party, in the name of pro-liberation party, used the administration for vote robbery.”
“Awami League cadres prevented voters from casting their own vote and forced them to vote for "boat". Our polling agents were tortured and kicked out of the centres. Many centres were closed from 1pm on the excuse of lunch break,” he also alleged.
“We are shocked at the distress caused to voters as they could not practice their democratic right properly,” he added.
While reading out a statement, the party chief said: “The Election Commission has totally failed to direct the election properly. Such kind of farce has not been seen by the nation since after independence. We are aware of the irregularities in all the constituencies, as we nominated candidates in 299 seats.”
“We filed a complaint with the Election Commission and met the chief election commissioner, but no visible actions were taken,” he added.
Barisal-based pir, or spiritual leader, late Maolana Syed Muhammad Fazlul Karim, popularly known as Charmonair Pir, established the Islami Shasontontro Andolon party on March 13, 1987 with a view to establishing an Islamic law-based state.
The name, however, was changed to Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) after the Election Commission did not allow registration under its original name.
Founder Fazlul Karim wanted to build an issue-based common platform for Islamic movement, comprising all Islamic parties and religious-minded people of Bangladesh.
Karim, who was a believer in the Khelafat state system, tried to establish an Islamic country throughout his life until his death in 2006.
IAB has been making continuous progress in local polls over the past three years.
They came under the spotlight in election politics after their candidates earned the third largest number of votes in Dhaka north and south, Narayanganj and Khulna city polls.
