Sylhet city polls: AL candidate Kamran hopeful, BNP’s Ariful disappointed

Ariful Haque Chowdhury, the BNP candidate for mayor in the Sylhet City Corporation polls, has made allegations of election irregularities after casting his vote, while Bodor Uddin Ahmed Kamran, the Awami League candidate, says he is hopeful of a good result.

Over 300,000 voters will cast their ballots at 134 polling centres in Sylhet.

BNP candidate Ariful cast his ballot at the Ward-14 Rainagar Government Primary School polling centre at the start of voting at 8am.

Kamran, Awami League candidate and two-time Sylhet mayor, cast his ballot at the Ward-14 Government Pilot High School polling centre at 9:30am.

After casting his vote Ariful alleged to the media that some votes had been rigged on presiding officers’ watch in the early hours of Monday.

The fraud occurred at several centres in wards 10, 20 and 21 around 2am, he said.

“The electricity was cut off at the Ward-18 Kazi Jalal Uddin Government Primary School around 2am and the ballots were marked. People in the area were chased off at gunpoint with the help of police.

“Polling centres are to be closed at night,” he said. “People will cast their votes when they open in the morning. Why were there so many people in the building so late at night?”

The BNP central leader said that ‘no one would be spared’ if proof of any irregularities was found.

“We will win the election if it is free and fair. We are always respectful of the will of the people. We will accept their verdict and salute it.”

Kamran said he was satisfied with the overall situation of the election and the voter turnout.

“Voting is underway peacefully. We are hopeful that our victory is certain.”

Kamran told the media the Awami League engages in ‘democratic politics’ and will accept the will of the people.

“The BNP has been making various allegations from day one and will make more today. The truth is they see the public turnout at the polls and say various things at various times.”

Seven candidates are vying for the position of Sylhet mayor in Monday’s election. Voters will also elect 27 general ward councillors and nine councillors for reserve seats.