Allegations of Rumor Labeling Presiding Officer as ‘Jamaat Ameer’

Allegations have surfaced regarding the spread of rumors on social media centering on Dhanakunda Popular High School polling station in Ward No. 8 of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) in the Siddhirganj area of Narayanganj.

On Wednesday evening, February 11, a video circulated on Facebook with a caption claiming that three individuals, including male and female members of Jamaat-e-Islami, had been detained with ballot papers while allegedly preparing for sabotage. The post further claimed that police and army personnel were conducting an operation at the scene.

The viral post also stated that D.H. Babul, President of the BNP in NCC Ward No. 8, was present at the location. Additionally, a separate video was circulated labeling the presiding officer of the center as the “Ameer of Jamaat.”

However, election-related officials have described these claims as completely baseless and nothing more than rumors. The presiding officer of the Dhanakunda Popular High School center, Bashir Ullah, is the head teacher of Sanarpar Rowshan Ara School.

Assistant Returning Officer of Popular High School, Shahina Islam Chowdhury, told local journalist Mehedi Hasan Soikot that those being accused were working with documents related to the appointment of polling agents. She clarified that no outsiders were present and that no party-based discussions or political activities took place at the center.

She further said, “We have thoroughly verified the matter. No political affiliation of the accused presiding officer has been found. Presiding Officer Bashir Ullah is the head teacher of the educational institution. He has been appointed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Election Commission. We found no evidence of any political involvement.”

The Assistant Returning Officer added that, as part of pre-election preparations, officials were verifying whether the number of ballot papers matched the number of registered voters. This is a normal and routine procedure conducted before voting begins, in line with Election Commission guidelines.

She alleged that during this time, some outsiders arrived and deliberately began making misleading statements. However, no evidence was found to support their claims.

DBTech/DPO/SA/OR