13th National Poll330 Ansar members removed from election duty over irregular appointments

The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party has removed 330 members from election duty after allegations surfaced that a team leader in the capital’s Hatirjheel area had illegally enlisted them in exchange for money.

The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the Ansar force on Wednesday.

According to the statement, 13 individuals assigned to election duty in Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram were found to be “untrained” despite being deployed. As the allegation was found to be prima facie true, they have also been relieved of their responsibilities.

The force further stated that anyone found involved in corruption will be immediately withdrawn from election duty.

In this regard, Shahnaz Sultana, team leader of Ward No- 19 under Gulshan, and Samsunnahar, team leader of Ward No- 40 under Vatara Police Station, were removed after preliminary evidence of their involvement with a particular political party was found.

The Ansar and Village Defence Party said that after receiving complaints about the Hatirjheel incident, close monitoring was carried out, confirming the irregularities.

The press release stated that Mamun, leader of the Town Defence Party (TDP) of Ward No. 22 under Hatirjheel Police Station, had enlisted 330 untrained individuals for election duty by preparing fake certificates in exchange for Tk400 per person.

It was later found that he also took bribes at a rate of Tk1,100 per person in the name of assigning duties. Upon learning of the matter, all those concerned were relieved from their responsibilities.

The accused ward team leader, Mamun, is currently absconding, and legal action is being taken against him.

The Ansar and Village Defence Party emphasised that for election duty, not only physical fitness but also valid certification and institutional qualifications are mandatory.

No opportunity will be given to question the credibility of the election through the involvement of individuals with fake certificates, unqualified personnel, or those influenced by outside interests, the press release further said.

Nearly 950,000 members of various forces have been deployed nationwide to ensure security during the polls, including more than 550,000 members of the Ansar force alone.