Opposition members in Bangladesh’s parliament on Thursday criticized alleged irregularities in the Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 by-elections. During a bill discussion, MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Congress Party (NCP) claimed that the polls were marred by manipulation and violence. They warned that public trust in elections was eroding and that such trends could undermine the government’s foundation. Jamaat candidates reportedly boycotted the elections citing widespread irregularities.

NCP MP Abdul Hannan Masud alleged that opposition polling agents were expelled from centers, injured, and that minors were made to vote. Jamaat MP Nazibur Rahman compared the situation to the controversial 1994 Magura by-election, saying the same pattern was repeating. Local Government State Minister Mir Shah Alam rejected the allegations, arguing that opposition parties only boycotted after realizing defeat and urged them to abandon the tradition of election boycotts.

Jamaat MP Rashedul Islam later accused the government of designing laws to suppress opposition and claimed that violence in Sherpur-3 mirrored past authoritarian practices, warning that voter confidence could collapse if such incidents continued.