Authorities recovered 23 empty result sheets with signatures of polling agents from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Kaliganj upazila, Jhenaidah on Wednesday night.

Executive Magistrate Selim Reza seized the result sheets and ordered the withdrawal of Presiding Officer Jesmin Ara, who had provided the papers to the polling agents.

Selim Reza said that the general rule is to get signatures from the polling agents of political parties after voting closes. But the concerned presiding officer made an unusual move by providing the sheets even before voting began.

The incident happened at Salimunnesa Pilot Secondary Girls’ School, which is also a polling centre in the Jhenaidah-4 constituency.

BNP’s polling agent signed an empty sheet and revealed the incident upon leaving the polling centre. When locals heard about the irregularity, rumours spread.

Upon learning the incident, Executive Magistrate confronted Presiding Officer Jesmin Ara, and took necessary disciplinary measures.