A message from Dinajpur

It is also interesting to note that on being refused nomination from the Jatiya Party (JP), he still managed to win in the northern region of the country which is regarded as a JP stronghold.

Another dimension to this election is Awami League's boycott of it implying thereby that probably Sheel drew support from AL vote bank.

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The poll outcome may have been indicative of anti-incumbency at least within that area coupled with a revulsion against far right political agenda of the extremist mould. That way, the significance of the result should not be lost either on Jamaat or the BNP-led ruling coalition.

Also of significance is the fact that the victor and the vanquished have both termed the election free and fair. The acceptance of the poll result by both sides has actually strengthened our faith in the electoral process. We would therefore take this opportunity of thanking the Election Commission and the local administration for the holding of the elections in a free and fair atmosphere barring a few stray incidents.