BNP-backed candidates boycott over ‘rigging’

COMILLA, May 9 (UNB): BNP-backed chairman candidate of Daudkandi Upazila election Abul Hashem Sarkar boycotted on Saturday the election, much like the boycott of BNP-backed candidates during the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation elections on April 28, alleging capture of polling stations and vote-rigging.
Abul Hashem, at a press conference at his residence, announced his decision to withdraw from the race at noon, hours after polling got underway.
He demanded fresh elections following cancellation of the one held today.
His election agent Masum Reza, election coordinator Mostak Ahmed and Jubo Dal district unit leader Mosharraf Hossain were present as he made his announcement.
Masum Reza told UNB that his candidate withdrew from the election having failed to get any response to repeated complaints of electoral fraud from the returning officer, which presumably exposed the rigging afoot with officials' cooperation.
"We lodged a number of complaints to the returning officer, but got no response to stop the vote rigging and occupation of polling centres," he said.
Meanwhile, BNP-supported vice chairman candidate VP Shah Alam and the party-blessed female vice chairman Farida Yasmen also announced boycotts halfway through the polling day.