‘Yes’ Wins in Referendum, but Major Discrepancies in EC Statistics; 244% Vote Casting in One Constituency

In the recently held referendum, approximately 62.47 percent voted in favor of “Yes” and 29.32 percent voted in favor of “No.” Although “Yes” won nationwide with more than double the votes, The Business Standard (TBS) has identified major discrepancies in the referendum results and calculations published by the Election Commission (EC). Although “Yes” won in most constituencies, “No” secured victory in 11 constituencies.

An analysis of the referendum results obtained from the Election Commission shows that in Rajshahi-4 constituency, the referendum turnout was recorded at 244.295 percent. While the total number of voters there is 319,909, the number of votes cast was shown as 781,523. In this constituency, 612,229 votes were shown in favor of “No” and 145,382 votes in favor of “Yes.” It is noteworthy that in this seat, Abdul Bari Sardar, a candidate of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, was elected as Member of Parliament.

In Sirajganj-1 constituency, the referendum turnout was shown as only 7.899 percent, which is significantly lower than the votes cast in the parliamentary election held on the same day. In the national parliamentary election, voter turnout in this constituency was 60.83 percent. In this seat, BNP candidate Selim Reza was elected with 116,613 votes.

Meanwhile, in Netrakona-3, Netrakona-4, and Netrakona-5 constituencies, the number of “Yes” votes was shown as higher than the total number of voters in those constituencies. In Netrakona-3, although the total number of voters is 420,686, the number of “Yes” votes was shown as 502,438. However, the total votes cast there were shown as 238,358 and the turnout was shown as 56.659 percent. Similar inconsistencies were found in Netrakona-4 and Netrakona-5 constituencies.

In the referendum held on the question of implementing the July Charter, a total of 48,074,429 votes were cast in favor of “Yes” nationwide, while 22,565,627 votes were cast in favor of “No.” The average turnout across 299 parliamentary constituencies was 60.26 percent.

“No” Wins in All Hill Districts and in Gopalganj

Out of 299 constituencies, “No” won in a total of 11 constituencies. Among them, all three constituencies in the three hill districts and all three constituencies in Gopalganj saw “No” victories. In Khagrachhari, 144,355 votes were cast in favor of “Yes” and 155,942 votes in favor of “No.” In Rangamati, “No” votes exceeded “Yes” votes by 108,106. Similarly, in Bandarban, “No” votes exceeded “Yes” votes by 18,739.

In Gopalganj, known as a stronghold of the Awami League, in all three constituencies the number of “No” votes was nearly three times higher than “Yes” votes. In Gopalganj-1, 54,716 votes were cast in favor of “Yes” and 128,298 in favor of “No.” In Gopalganj-2, “Yes” received 34,302 votes and “No” received 107,290 votes. In Gopalganj-3, “Yes” received 33,498 votes while “No” received 93,368 votes.

The other constituencies where “No” won are Jhenaidah-1, Sunamganj-2, Chattogram-8, Chattogram-12, and Rajshahi-4. Among these 11 constituencies where “No” received more votes, BNP candidates were elected as Members of Parliament in 10 of them. Only in Rajshahi-4 was a Jamaat candidate elected.

According to the Election Commission, the total number of voters in the 13th National Parliament election and the referendum was 127,702,334. Of them, 60.26 percent cast their votes in the referendum. A total of 48,074,429 voted “Yes” and 22,565,627 voted “No.” Additionally, 7,402,285 referendum ballots were declared invalid or rejected.