Dhaka-17 by-election : Mohammad A Arafat wins

Awami League candidate Mohammad A Arafat won the Dhaka-17 by-election. He got 28,816 votes, while his closest rival Hero Alom got 5,609 votes. Voter turnout was 11.51 percent.

Returning Officer Munir Hossain Khan made the unofficial announcement at Banani Bidyaniketan School and College Auditorium around 9:05pm today.

The Election Commission said the election was held in a free and fair manner. Meanwhile, the AL candidate Arafat has condemned the attack on his rival candidate Ashraful Alom, popularly known as "Hero Alam".

"I've heard about the assault on one candidate. Such an untoward event was not necessary. I think the perpetrators were trying to make the election seem controversial. I condemn this incident," he said at a press conference after voting ended in the by-election this afternoon.

Arafat urged the Election Commission to conduct a proper investigation into the incident and take legal action against the perpetrators. Earlier today, Hero Alam – an independent candidate contesting the Dhaka-17 by-election – was physically assaulted while leaving a polling centre in the Banani area.

Mohammad Elias, chief election agent of Hero Alam, said the candidate was taken to Better Life Hospital in Rampura around 5:30 pm in an unconscious state and is now undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Mohammad Alamgir has said action will be taken against those involved in the incident.

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