Narayanganj-1 constituency (Rupganj) goes to polls today along with other seats across the country with the cohorts of Awami League candidate and Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi intimidating and luring voters into casting votes for the ‘Boat’ candidate with money.

Of the total 128 polling centres in the constituency, 63 have already been marked risky by the Election Commission (EC).

Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer of Narayanganj Mahmudul Haque said they are alert over entire Narayanganj, but special attention was given to Rupganj.

More than double members of law enforcement agencies and magistrates remained deployed in the constituency compared to the rest of the seats in the district, he said.

Of the risky centres, six are in Chonpara Rehabilitation Centre, also known as Chonpara Slum, in Kayetpara union.

The centres are Nobokisholoy High School (north building), Nobokisholoy High School (four-storey building), Al Amin Model Academy, Al Arafa Islamia Dakhil Madrasah (west building), Al Arafa Islamia Dakhil Madrasah (south building) and Janakalyan Adarsha Govt Primary School.

The number of voters in these centres is 21,962 out of over 3.85 lakh in the constituency.

Different criminal groups, mainly led by Shamsher Ali Khan alias Daku Shamsher, are allegedly intimidating voters into casting their votes for the ‘Boat’ symbol.

Union Parishad (UP) member Shamsher is an active cohort of incumbent MP Golam Dastagir Gazi.

Shamsher and his cadres have long been running a drug trade in the area, but law enforcers turn a blind eye to his misdeeds as he enjoys the blessings of Gazi.

Seeking not to be named for security reason, the proprietor of a clothes shop in the slum area told the Daily Sun that none dares to go against Shamsher.

“A pent-up situation is now prevailing in the slum area,” he said.

Another businessman said, “If the incumbent MP fails in the election, Shamsher and his cadres will have no room in the area. That’s why the criminals may commit ballot stuffing to ensure the victory of Gazi to keep their dominance intact.”

Local traders think the law enforcers, para-military forces and army should keep special attention to the centres so that voters can exercise their franchise without any fear.

Some local people at Nawra, Boruna, Kamshair, Isakhali, Nogorpara, Majhina, Boralu, Purbagram and Paschimgaon in Kayetpara said there is a fear of ballot stuffing in the area as Rongdhanu Group Chairman Rafiqul Islam, widely known as Anda Rafiq, supported present MP Gazi. Rafiq was a former chairman of Kayetpara Union Parishad.

The cohorts of Rafiq will try their best to ensure the victory of the ‘Boat’ symbol by any means.

They said if Gazi loses the election, the land of people grabbed by Rafiq particularly at Nawra will be reclaimed from encroachment. So, Rafiq and his armed cohorts will not want the defeat of their candidate.

Two polling centres at Nawra have been declared risky. The centres are Nawra Govt Primary School and Nawra Hazi Yad Ali High School having 4,518 voters.

Other risky centres in Kayetpara are Baruna Govt Primary School, Kamsair Govt Primary School, Kayetpara Union Community Centre, Nogorpara Govt Primary School, Ahmadia Islamia Fazil Madrasah, Boralu Govt Primary School, Puragram Govt Primary School, Paschim Uttar Govt Primary School and Paschimgaon Govt Primary School. 

Fear of ballot stuffing is reported from different centres of the Tarabo municipality area.

Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker, a candidate of Trinamool BNP, told the Daily Sun that money was being distributed among voters to lure them into voting for the ‘Boat’ symbol.