Tangail-4 independent candidate Abdul Latif Siddiqui talking to the media Latif Siddique has decided to quit the upcoming general election race, reports bdnews24.com.
The independent candidate for Tangail-4 made the announcement after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda on Sunday.
"I'm not running in the election. There isn't a level playing field. My supporters are being harassed by police. Can you really run after that?" he said.
Latif went on a hunger strike in Tangail to press his three-point list of demands in protest against an attack on his campaign. He was later admitted to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University after his health worsened on the fourth day of the hunger strike.
He was discharged from hospital care on Thursday, according to a BSMMU nurse. On Sunday, Latif met Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and submitted a written complaint to the Election Commission. In his letter, Latif cited the deterioration of electoral conditions as the reason for stepping aside from the December 30 polls.
"I've met with the chief election commissioner. I didn't ask for anything. I told him that the elections cannot be held under the present management, that is why I'm quitting the race," said Latif. However, despite Latif's decision not to contest the polls, his candidacy will remain effective as the deadline for withdrawing from the race has already elapsed. As a result, his name will still appear on ballots when the polls open on December 30.
"I can't withdraw my candidacy for the elections now which is why I am stepping aside. Why should I allow innocent people to get hurt or killed? I will not be responsible for any injury or death," he said.
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