Anwarul Islam Raju, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate supported by an 11-party alliance, has alleged widespread irregularities in vote counting for the Lalmonirhat-1 (Hatibandha-Patgram) constituency during the 13th National Parliamentary Election. At a press conference held at his residence on Friday, February 13, he claimed that serious discrepancies occurred in several centers across Jagatber, Jongra, Sreerampur unions, and Patgram municipality, particularly after 5:30 p.m. on February 12. He alleged manipulation and delays in result announcements and inconsistencies between the declared results and presiding officers’ count sheets.

Raju further stated that some centers reported no invalid ballots, which he described as unusual and possibly deliberate manipulation. He accused certain presiding officers of biased behavior and said delays in publishing results raised public suspicion. He has submitted a written petition to the Election Commission, attaching photocopies of count sheets from 137 centers as evidence, and formally requested a recount of votes cast in Hatibandha and Patgram upazilas.

According to Raju, a recount would reveal the true outcome of the election. Local journalists, political activists, and supporters attended the press conference.