The administration confiscated 23 empty result sheets that had been pre-signed by a polling agent at the Salimunnesa Girls’ School polling station in Kaliganj, located in the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, on Wednesday evening. As a consequence of this incident, the presiding officer, Jesmin Ara, who is also an assistant engineer at the Department of Public Health Engineering, was relieved of her duties.
According to District Returning Officer and Magistrate Abdullah Masud, replacement result sheets were promptly provided following the seizure. The confiscation occurred at approximately 8:30 pm in the presence of Executive Magistrate Selim Reza (PAA), Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Assistant Returning Officer Rizwana Nahid, journalists, police officers, and army personnel.
Magistrate Selim clarified that representatives of various candidates had arrived to submit their appointment papers when the presiding officer requested them to sign the blank result sheets in advance to expedite the process. He described this action as an oversight on the part of the presiding officer, with Jesmin acknowledging the mistake.
Selim further explained that concerns raised by other representatives prompted an investigation by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer, leading to the detection and reporting of the irregularity. District Returning Officer Masud confirmed the removal of Jesmin Ara from her position due to dereliction of duty and mentioned that a new presiding officer had been appointed to take over the responsibilities.