Thakurgaon Correspondent: Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Delwar Hossain has demanded the immediate resignation of the Election Commission, accusing it of failing to ensure free, fair and impartial elections following alleged widespread irregularities in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election.

He also claimed that elections under a partisan government could never be fair and warned of a stronger movement if those responsible for electoral irregularities were not brought to justice.

Hossain made the remarks at a protest rally organised by Jamaat-e-Islami in Thakurgaon town on Saturday afternoon, protesting alleged vote rigging, ballot fraud, attacks on polling agents and party activists, and vandalism during the by-election held on October 29.

The protest rally was held at July Chattar in the Old Bus Stand area following a procession through the town`s main roads.

Referring to the February 12 election and subsequent polls in Sherpur, Bogura and Thakurgaon, Hossain alleged that the same pattern of vote manipulation and electoral malpractice seen before August 5 had returned.

He described the Election Commission as incompetent and accused it of failing completely to conduct a credible and neutral election.

"We clearly demand that the Election Commission resign immediately, taking responsibility for its failure," he said, alleging that the October 29 by-election was a staged electoral exercise resulting from an understanding between government and BNP leaders.

The Jamaat candidate also demanded legal action against the returning officer, presiding officers and assistant presiding officers involved in conducting the election.

Warning of further political action, he said his party would be compelled to announce fresh programmes if the authorities failed to address the allegations promptly.

Hossain alleged that polling agents had been forced out of polling centres and that BNP activists had attacked Jamaat supporters before, during and after the election.

He further claimed that several Jamaat activists had sustained serious injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals. Business establishments and residential properties belonging to party supporters were also allegedly vandalised.

Expressing concern over the reported attacks on women activists, he claimed that a female party worker had been forced to leave her home following intimidation.

He said the people of Thakurgaon would eventually respond to what he described as injustice and oppression through democratic means.

"The deprivation of people`s voting rights and the imposition of an election result through force have created a dark chapter in the country`s democratic history," he said, demanding an end to violence and the punishment of those involved in electoral misconduct.

The rally was chaired by Thakurgaon district Jamaat Ameer Professor Belal Uddin Pradhan.

Among others, district secretary Mohammad Alamgir, press secretary Principal Shah Jalal Jewel, town Jamaat Ameer Principal Maulana Shamsuzzaman Shah Shamim and Sadar upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Mizanur Rahman attended the programme.

Earlier, Jamaat leaders and activists brought out a protest procession from July Chattar in the Old Bus Stand area. It marched through the town`s main streets, passed through the Chowrasta intersection and returned to the starting point, where the rally concluded with a brief gathering.