Constituency delimitation: Protesters besiege election office in Bagerhat

Protesters on Tuesday laid siege to the election office in Bagerhat district town, demanding the reinstatement of the four parliamentary seats.

Demonstrators under the banner of ‘All-party United Committee’ brought out a procession around 9:30 am and besieged the election office.

They barred the officials of the election office from entering the office, reports UNB.

Besides, two writ petitions were filed with the High Court seeking the reinstatement of four constituencies.

Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain, on behalf of Bagerhat Press Club and the District Bar Association, filed one writ petition, while Advocate Mohammad Akhtar Rasul filed another on behalf of former Chitalmari Upazila Chairman Mujibur Rahman Shamim.

They also threatened to continue their movement until their demand is met.

MA Salam, former president of Bagerhat BNP and co-convener of the committee, said, “Considering the interest of the Hindu community during Durga Puja and the interests of the business community, we have withdrawn the strike programme.”

He also said that they will besiege the election office again from 9 am to 1 pm on Wednesday.

Sheikh Mohammad Yunus, Secretary of the district unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Member Secretary of the coordination committee, said they hope the court will ensure justice.

The Election Commission on September 4 announced to reduce Bagerhat’s four seats to three despite locals’ protests.

The final gazette placed Bagerhat-1 (Bagerhat Sadar-Chitalmari-Mollahat), Bagerhat-2 (Fakirhat-Rampal-Mongla), and Bagerhat-3 (Kachua-Morrelganj-Sarankhola).

Previously, Bagerhat-1 included Chitalmari-Mollahat-Fakirhat, Bagerhat-2 Bagerhat Sadar-Kachua, Bagerhat-3 Rampal-Mongla, and Bagerhat-4 Morrelganj-Sarankhola.