Dhaka: Criticising Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for bringing the allegation of subtle vote rigging in Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday termed the just ended city poll as a model election in the history of Bangladesh. 

While talking to reporters after attending a programme at Shyamoli in Dhaka, the Awami League leader dismissed BNP’s allegations of ‘a subtle vote rigging’ as absurd and fabricated.

“The NCC election was held in a free and fair manner. It proves that the Election Commission is capable of arranging free, fair and neutral polls,” he told reporters in another programme after placing wreaths at the grave of late AL leader Abdur Razzak at Banani graveyard marking his death anniversary.

Terming the NCC election as an example of fair polls, Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said they want the future elections to be held in such manner. “This win (Ivy’s victory) is the victory of development and achievements of Sheikh Hasina and the victory of Selina Hayat Ivy’s popularity,” he said.

He said the election was held fairly thwarting all kinds of apprehension and fear.

Awami League mayoral candidate Dr Selina Hayat Ivy was unofficially reelected NCC mayor defeating BNP contestant Sakhawat Hossain Khan by a big margin of 79,567 votes in the Thursday’s election.

According to the unofficial results, Ivy bagged 175,611 votes while Sakhawat polled 96,044.

In an instant reaction on Thursday night, Sakhawat alleged that the victory of the sheaf of paddy was snatched through a subtle vote rigging in the election.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has also demanded a judicial inquiry into voting, vote counting and results of the NCC polls.

"Considering BNP candidate Sakhawat Hossain's allegations of vote rigging, it's urgent to investigate the matter," he told a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office on Friday.