Several candidates boycott polls

Several candidates, most of them pro-BNP, have pulled out of the local government polls in 13 Upazilas during the fifth phase of Upazila Council polls.

The candidates contesting for chairmen’s posts alleged malpractices like forcible takeover of polling stations, false voting and administrative inaction.

Pro-BNP candidates pulled out of the polls in Lakshmipur's Ramganj, Chuadanga Sadar, Alamdanga, Patuakhali's Kolaparha, Satkhira's Kolaroya, Debhata and Tala, Narayanganj's Araihazar and Rupganj, Munshiganj's Louhajang, Jamalpur's Madarganj and Kishoreganj's Ashtagram.

Rebel pro-Awami League aspirants, too, boycotted polls in Lakshimpur Sadar Upazila and Patuakhali's Kolaparha.

A pro-Islami Shashantantra Andolan candidate also announced his withdrawal in Kolaparha.

Voting is currently on in 73 Upazilas. A court order had earlier led to the postponing of the polls in the Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila.

Polling began at 8am and will continue till 4pm.

Patuakhali

Three chairman candidates – one of them pro-BNP, another a pro-Awami League rebel, and the third a pro-Islami Shashantantra Andolan aspirant - boycotted the elections in Kolaparha Upazila, alleging polling station takeover and rigging of votes.

The three candidates announced their decisions at a press conference held at the Kolaprha Press Club in the morning.

Pro-BNP candidate Md Mostafizur Rahman said polling agents of pro-Awami League chairman candidate Abdul Motaleb Talukder had driven out his agents from the centre.

He alleged the election officers had refused to act despite being informed.

Four vice chairman candidates have also withdrawn from the electoral contest.

Returning Officer Md Nazrul Islam, however, denied having received any report of trouble.

Kolaparha Upazila Nirbahi Officer and assistant returning officer Md Jahangir Hossain said law enforcers had been despatched to the polling centres soon after the candidate complained of irregularities.

Chuadanga

Two pro-BNP candidates in Chuadanga boycotted Monday’s polls, alleging seizure of polling centres by supporters of pro-Awami League contestants.

Mujibul Haq Malik Saju, contesting from Chuadanga Sadar, announced his boycott decision three hours into the voting.

He claimed supporters of the pro-Awami League candidate had taken over 85 polling stations in the Upazila and were freely stamping the ballots in their favour.

Shahidul Tilu, the pro-BNP candidate at Alamdanga, alleged Awami League toughs had occupied 52 of 103 voting centres in the Upazila.

However, Returning Officer Anjuman Ara Begum refuted the claims, saying polling was progressing “peacefully” at Chuadanga Sadar and Alamdanga Upazila centres.

Lakshmipur

A pro-BNP candidate and a rebel contesting without Awami League approval boycotted the elections in Ramganj and Lakshmipur Sadar Upazilas three hours after polling began, alleging irregularities.

The candidates demanded re-polling.

VP Abdur Rahim, a BNP supporter, pulled out of the election, alleging seizure of polling stations by his rival, pro-Awami League candidate AKM Ruhul Amin, and administrative inaction.

Meanwhile, at a press conference, Awami League rebel aspirant Mohiuddin Bakul alleged his polling agents had been driven out from polling booths.

Satkhira

Three pro-BNP candidates boycotted elections in Satkhira Sadar, Tala and Debhata Upazilas, alleging forcible occupation of polling centres and rigging of votes.

BNP's District unit Vice President Kamrul Islam Talukder made the announcment in the early afternoon.

The candidates who have pulled out are Abdur Rauf, Bodiuzzaman Moral and Mohiuddin Siddiqui.

Narayanganj

Pro-BNP chairman candidate Gazi MA Masud quit the poll fray in Araihazar Upazila around noon on Monday, alleging large-scale rigging.