BNP & two other parties boycott Barishal polls

Staff Reporter:>>>

Nearly four hours after the voting began, BNP mayoral candidate Mujibur Rahman Sarwar boycotted Barishal City Corporation polls, bringing the allegation of widespread vote rigging and other irregularities.

Sarwar announced the decision at a press conference at Barishal Press Club at noon.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Obaidur Rahman Mahbub and Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) contestant Abul Kalam Azad also pulled out of the race citing the same allegations.

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal candidate Manisha Chakrabarty and Jatiya Party candidate Md Iqbal Hossain turned down the elections.

They demanded the Election Commission to postpone the polls due to vote ‘rigging’ by the ruling party men.

Sarwar claimed that his polling agents were obstructed from entering at least 70-80 centres.

He alleged that ruling party men were stuffing ballot boxes in many centres with the help of law enforcers. “The government has destroyed the country’s election system. This can’t continue.”

The BNP candidate said he called upon the Election Commission to postpone the polls, but it did not pay heed to it. “We condemn the Election Commission’s role and we’re boycotting the election.”

Talking to reporters, Manisha said her polling agents were driven out of the voting centres while vote rigged at many centres.

The BSD candidate said she has submitted an application to the returning officer seeking postponement of of the polls.

She also alleged that Awami League supporters attacked her for protesting the vote rigging.

Jatiya Party candidate Md Iqbal also lodged written complaints with the Returning Officer and demanded the suspension of the polls.