Masud Rana, Barishal Bureau

A legal petition has been filed at the Barishal Senior Assistant Judge and Electoral Tribunal demanding the annulment of the 2023 Barishal City Corporation (BCC) election results and the declaration of Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, as the rightful mayor on Thursday. 

He  submitted the case, challenging the official victory of Awami League-backed candidate Abul Khair Abdullah (boat symbol) and naming six other rival candidates as defendants. These include Mizanur Rahman Bacchu (rose), Ali Hossain Howlader (deer), Asaduzzaman (elephant), Iqbal Hossain Taposh (plough), and Kamrul Ahsan Rupom (table clock).

Confirming the legal move, advocate Sheikh Abdullah Nasir stated, “The court has heard our plea. We informed the court that although Mufti Faizul Karim of the hand fan symbol won the people's mandate, he was declared defeated through manipulation by the autocratic regime. His supporters were attacked at polling centers, and he himself was subjected to violence.”

Nasir further alleged that then-Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal dismissed complaints by saying, “He (Faizul Karim) is not dead.” “This so-called ‘death commission’ conspired to favor the Awami League by falsely declaring him defeated,” Nasir said. “At that time, we had no legal recourse. The changed political atmosphere after August 5 enabled us to finally seek justice.”

He also added that Barishal City Corporation is currently being run by the administration rather than an elected mayor, depriving citizens of essential services. “We hope the court will cancel the fraudulent results and announce Mufti Faizul Karim as the elected representative of the people.”

The Barishal city election was held on June 12, 2023, where Awami League’s Abul Khair Abdullah—also a cousin of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—contested with the boat symbol. Mufti Faizul Karim was among six opponents and emerged as the nearest rival. During the campaign, he was reportedly attacked, drawing widespread criticism and calls for the then-CEC’s resignation following his controversial remarks. Although the CEC later apologized, public outrage had already intensified.

According to the official results, Abul Khair Abdullah secured 87,808 votes, while Mufti Faizul Karim received 33,828 votes—a result that immediately sparked fierce debate. The legal battle now seeks to rewrite that outcome.