28 candidates boycott election, allege irregularities

Twenty-eight candidates boycotted the national polls held on Sunday, alleging irregularities, fake voting, takeover of centres, and restricting agents from entering polling centres.

Among them are nine Jatiyo Party (JaPa) candidates, four from Trinamool BNP, one each from Gano Front and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), and 13 independents.

The nine JaPa candidates who withdrew from the race are from Cox's Bazar-4, Cumilla-1, Dhaka-10, Lalmonirhat-2, Narayanganj-2, Kurigram-4, Shariatpur-2, Sylhet-2, and Sylhet-3.

The 13 independent candidates are from Cox's Bazar-1, 3, 4; Cumilla-1, 7,11; Khulna-3, Sylhet-2, 3; Kurigram-4; Jashore-1; Tangail-2; and Bagerhat-4.

Around a hundred other candidates, including some heavyweights, boycotted before the election, complaining not getting enough support from their parties, unfair election environment and opposition to seat sharing with the ruling party. Besides, those who remained in the contest were inactive in the campaign field.

7 pull out in Sylhet

Four candidates boycotted the election together in Sylhet-2. They are Gano Forum candidate Mokabbir Khan, independent candidate Muhibur Rahman, JaPa candidate Yahia Chowdhury and Trinamool BNP's Mohammad Abdur Rob.

There is no fair environment for voting in Sylhet-2 constituency, they said at a briefing around 1:30pm. They also alleged that Awami League activists were openly threatening their agents with firearms. 

In Sylhet-4, Trinamool BNP candidate Abul Hossain, a former MP, announced his boycott of the election.

In a video message, he alleged widespread irregularities, fake votes, expulsion of agents from the poll centres, and bias of the administration as reasons for his boycott.

Abul was contesting AL candidate Imran Ahmed, who is also the Minister of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

In Sylhet-3, JaPa's Atiqur Rahman and independent Ihteshamul Haque Chowdhury Dulal also withdrew. Dulal at a press briefing alleged that his agents were assaulted and threatened at two polling stations.

4 throw towel in Cox's Bazar

JaPa candidate Nurul Amin Shikder Bhutto in Cox's Bazar-4 announced his election on Sunday. During the boycott announcement at 1pm, Nurul Amin cited widespread irregularities, fake voting, and occupation of polling centres as reasons for his decision to boycott polls.

"Even after informing the election officials, no action was taken," he added.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanvir Hossain, also the assistant returning officer of the upazila, said they have not received any written or verbal complaint so far. Cox's Bazar District Returning Officer Muhammad Shahin Imran also echoed the same.

Nurul Bashar, an independent candidate of the same constituency, also boycotted the polls. 

In Cox's Bazar-3, independent candidate Mizan Sayeed also left the race alleging AL supporters taking control of most polling stations and forcefully stamping ballots. 

Independent candidate and incumbent MP in Cox's Bazar-1 Jafar Alam boycotted the election, citing allegations of polling centre occupation and the expulsion of agents from centres. He announced his boycott through a Facebook live session this afternoon.

4 leave race in Cumilla

JaPa candidate Amir Hossain and independent Naim Hasan from Cumilla-1, independent Mizanur Rahman from Cumilla-11, and Cumilla-7 independent Muntakim Ashraf Titu boycotted the election.

Muntakim Ashraf Titu called for reelection in his constituency alleging fake voting in 89 centres of the seat. 

Pankaj Barua, additional deputy commissioner of Cumilla, said none of the candidates have filed written complaints regarding their boycotts.

4 drop out in Khulna, Kurigram

Khulna-1 Trinamool BNP candidate Govinda Chanda Pramanik announced his poll boycott around 3:30pm. He said he quit because most voters in his constituency did not turn up at the polling stations due to the intimidation of the agents.

Besides, Fatema Zaman Sathi, an independent candidate of Khulna-3 came live from her Facebook at around 3pm and announced her boycott. She alleged, "Fraud is happening in all centres. Our workers have been attacked. The administration is playing a silent role." 

JaPa candidate AKM Saifur Rahman Bablu and independent candidate Md Mujibur Rahman in Kurigram-4 boycotted the polls alleging irregularities in the election.

Saifur Rahman said, "I did not know that this election would be farcical. Fake votes are cast in different centres. I have informed the administration, they are watching but no action was taken in the end." 

Mujibur Rahman alleged that AL supporters started casting fake votes. "They were in the boat in all the centres in the three upazilas. That's why I boycotted the vote."

Clash in Narayanganj-2, JaPa candidate boycott

In Narayanganj-2, a conflict erupted between the supporters of AL candidate Nazrul Islam Babu and those supporters of JaPa candidate Alamgir Sikder Loton over allegations of fake voting. 

During the clash, two were injured as police intervened and fired rubber bullets. In protest, JaPa candidate Alamgir Sikder Loton announced a boycott of the election.

Nazrul Islam's chief election agent and municipal Mayor, Sundar Ali, denied such allegations. 

District Returning Officer Mahmudul Haq said, "Alleging fake voting, supporters of Alamgir Sikder Loton and his brother Jahangir Sikder Jhoton vandalised the centre and the ballot boxes. Police fired rubber bullets to control the situation, and voting at that centre has now been suspended. The administration has detained ten individuals from the scene."

9 others who dropped out 

Ashraful Alam Liton, independent candidate for Jashore-1 seat, boycotted the vote, citing irregularities, rigging, and intimidation by the supporters of the AL candidate Nazrul Islam Babu.

"As a candidate, I was prevented from entering the centres. My wife was also not allowed to enter. I was also attacked on 19 December. So far, 150 of our activists have been injured. In the current situation, I do not want such an election," Liton said during a press conference at 11:30am.

JaPa candidate Delwar Hossain in Lalmonirhat-2 boycotted the election alleging irregularities and fake voting. He alleged incidents of poll rigging, the utilisation of mussel power, and hindrances to voters reaching the centres as the reasons behind his withdrawal from the vote. 

Bagerhat-4 independent candidate Md Jamil Hossain announced boycotting the election around 1:00pm. At a briefing, Jamil said his agents were threatened and driven out from polling centres as soon as the election began in the morning.

In Chapainawabganj-3, BNM candidate Mohammad Abdul Matin has boycotted the vote over allegations of not allowing candidates to enter the polling centres, threatening agents and forcing them out of the polling centres.

In Tangail-2, independent candidate Yunus Islam Talukder announced his boycott alleging ruling party candidate supporters assaulted his activists and were not allowed to enter polling centres. 

Also, Japa candidate Haji Md Shahjahan in Dhaka-10, Trinamool's MM Shahin in Moulvibazar-2, and JaPa's Md Wahidur Rahman from Shariatpur-2 quit the race.