RU Chhatra Dal Leader Casts ‘No’ Vote Defying Party Directive
Sardar Zahurul Islam, General Secretary of the Rajshahi University (RU) unit of Chhatra Dal, cast a ‘No’ vote in the constitutional referendum held alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election, defying central party instructions.
On Thursday, February 12, he posted images on Facebook showing his ballot marked with a ‘No’ vote in the referendum as well as a separate ballot stamped for the paddy sheaf, the electoral symbol of the BNP.
Sardar Zahurul Islam is a voter in the Pabna-1 (Santhia–Bera) constituency. Later, he deleted the image showing the ‘No’ vote in the referendum but kept the photo of the ballot stamped with the paddy sheaf symbol. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman had reportedly instructed party supporters to vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum.
Speaking to the media, Zahurul Islam described his vote as part of his “freedom to vote and freedom of expression.” However, when asked whether it was appropriate to take photos inside the voting booth and circulate them on social media, he did not provide a response.
DBTech/CNN/MS/OR
