During the 13th national parliamentary election in Bangladesh, numerous photos of stamped ballot papers appeared on Facebook even before voting concluded. The images, shared from personal profiles and pages, showed voters marking their preferred symbols inside polling booths and posting the pictures online. Some posts included political endorsements, prompting public debate over the neutrality and transparency of the election process.
The circulation of these images sparked discussions about possible irregularities in ballot management and monitoring at polling centers. Election laws require strict protection of ballot secrecy, and the Election Commission prohibits voters from carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of polling stations. The emergence of these photos raised questions about how voters managed to bring phones inside and take pictures in secret booths.
Abu Raihan Sohel, the presiding officer of center number 66 in Nilphamari-1 constituency, said he was unaware of the incident but claimed officials were vigilant to prevent mobile phones inside polling centers. He expressed confusion over how such photos were taken despite efforts to maintain fair voting.