At least eight candidates for separate constituencies across the country have stepped aside from the election race and boycotted the 12th national election so far, alleging vote rigging and irregularities.
The candidates are independent candidates Muntakim Ashraf Titu for Cumilla-7 constituency, and Mizanur Rahman for Cumilla-11; Jatiya Party's Yahya Chowdhury, and Gonoforum's Mokabbir Khan for Sylhet-2; independent candidates Ashraful Alam Liton for Jashore-1, Barrister Mizan Saeed for Cox's Bazar-3, Abul Hossain Dipu and Kaiser Ahmed for Mymensingh-10.
In Cumilla, independent candidate Muntakim Ashraf Titu announced his boycott at a press briefing this noon, alleging that his agents were beaten up and thrown out of most of the polling centres in Cumilla-7 constituency by AL candidate's supporters, who he alleged were sealing empty ballots and casting fake votes.
In the mean time, another independent candidate Mizanur Rahman submitted a written complaint to the returning officer of the area accusing the AL candidate of Cumilla-11 constituency forcibly occupying the centre and beating up his agents.
In Sylhet-2 constituency, Jatiya Party's Yahya Chowdhury and Gonoforum's Mokabbir Khan boycotted the election bringing allegation of vote rigging against the Awami League candidate. They also alleged that the AL supporters occupied the centres by driving them out.
Independent candidate for the same constituency Muhibur Rahman also made similar allegations, even though he said he would observe the situation a bit longer before taking a decision.
In Jashore-1 constituency, independent candidate Ashraful Alam Liton, also a former mayor, made the declaration during a briefing at his election campaign office.
In Cox's Bazar-3, independent candidate Barrister Mizan Saeed stepped down from the contest after alleging that the polls had turned out to be a "farce".
He came up with the decesion at a press conference around 1:45pm at the Deputy Commissioner's Office premises, and alleged that his polling agents were thrown out from 121 voting centres.
Saeed, who had been contesting with the "Eagle" symbol, also alleged that the Awami League candidate "had bribed polling officers and in collusion with them" had indulged in "vote rigging".
Saeed said he had submitted a written application to the returning officer (RO) for postponing election at the constituency and demanded a re-election.
Meanwhile, two independent candidates from Mymensingh-10 boycotted the election alleging vote rigging and irregularities. They are independent candidates Abul Hossain Dipu, contesting with "eagle" symbol and Kaiser Ahmed, contesting with the "truck" symbol,
They said they boycotted the election as the polling agents of most of the polling centres in 15 unions and municipal areas of the upazila were forced out of the polling centres.
Allegations of vote rigging and irregularities were brought against the presiding officer, assistant presiding officer and polling agent at Madinatul Ulum Al-Haj Akbar Hossain Qawmi Madrasa centre in the municipality town of Gafargaon.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Shofiqul Islam said police detained presiding officer Ilias Uddin, the assistant presiding officer and a polling agent of AL candidate.
Police will investigate the allegations after the voting ends, he said.
SA
