At least 40 mayoral aspirants in 22 districts have boycotted the elections raising allegation of massive vote rigging.
One of them is from Awami League, eight are its rebels, 22 from BNP, one is its rebel, three are from Jatiya Party, three independent candidates, and one each from Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Islami Shahontontro Andolon.
Awami League candidate is Kamrul Ahsan Maharaj from Barguna Sadar Municipality.
Kamrul made the announcement of his withdrawal around 11:30am saying that the local administrations was bias.
In Narsingdi Sadar Municipality, Awami League rebel candidate SM Kaiyum boycotted election on vote rigging allegation.
In a press conference around 3pm yesterday, he said: “Election was going on peacefully till 10am. But the supporters of Awami League-backed candidate stamped ballots and drove out my agents forcefully.”
He also demanded cancellation of the votes and holding fresh polling.
BNP-backed candidate in the same municipality Saiful Islam Sohel also boycotted the polls on the same ground.
Later, BNP-supported candidates Mahmudul Haque in Monohordi Municipality and Hajji Md Ilyas in Madhabdi municipality in the same district also boycotted the poll.
In Raipur Municipality of Luxmipur BNP-backed mayor candidate ABM Jilani boycotted the polls and he alleged that Awami League leaders and activists took control over the polling centres and forced out his polling agents.
BNP candidates Shahed Ali Potu in Ramgoti Municipality and Roman Hossain Patwary in Ramganj Municipality pulled themselves out of the race.
In Narail, within an hour of the voting, BNP-blessed mayor candidate Wahiduzzman Milu of Kaliakoir Municipality announced the withdrawal of his candidature raising the allegation of vote rigging.
“Widespread rigging is taking place. BNP agents are being barred from entering polling centres. As the administration did not pay any heed to our complaints a fair election is not possible and I am boycotting the polls,” Milu announced.
Awami League rebel candidate Sohrab Hossain Biswash also boycotted the poll in Narail Sadar Municipality alleging massive ballot stuffing.
In Rangunia, Swandip, and Rauzan Municipalities of Chittagong BNP candidates Helaluddin Khan, Ajmatullah Bahadur, and Kazi Abdullah Al Hasan also pulled themselves out of the race on the same ground.
They alleged that BNP agents were not allowed to enter the polling centres while the ruling party candidates had already stuffed the ballot boxes.
They demanded re-election in those municipalities.
In Patuakhali, Jatiya Party candidate Anwar Hossain Hawlader in Kuakata Municipality and Apart from them BNP candidate Kazi Humayun Shikder in Kolapara Municipality boycotted the polls citing the same allegation.
In Madhupur municipality of Tangail, BNP mayor candidate Sahidul Islam Shahid announced the polls boycott as well.
In Gopalpur Municipality of Tangail, Awami League rebel candidate Belayet Hossain boycotted the polls alleging that his agents were thrown out the polling centres and the ruling party candidate threatened the voters.
In Jamalpur Sadar Municipality, Jatiya Party-backed candidate Khandakar Hafizur Rahman Badshah boycotted the polls around 9:30am alleging massive vote rigging. Badshah said: “Even I cannot cast my vote.”
Nurunnobi Apu, AL rebel candidate from Dewanganj Municipality of the same district also boycotted the election.
In Akhaura Municipality of Brahmanbaria district, BNP-backed mayor candidate and three independent candidates boycotted the polls. BNP candidate Mantaj Mia and independent candidates Mashiur Rahman Babul, Sohel Bhuiyan and Salauddin Al Hossain Chowdhury boycotted the polls alleging that they were compelled to boycott the polls as the ruling party leaders grabbed almost all the polling stations. They also demanded re-election.
In Pangsha Municipality of Rajbari, BNP candidate Chand Ali Khan boycotted the polls alleging his agents were ousted from inside the polling stations.
In Muladi Municipality of Barisal, Islami Andolon candidate Monjur Hossain boycotted the polls alleging vote robbery.
In Kalai of Joypurhat, BNP-backed and BNP rebel candidates Sajjadur Rahman Talukdar and Anisur Rahman Talukdar pulled them out of the race alleging vote rigging by the Awami League candidate.
JaPa candidate from the same municipality Aminul Islam also boycotted the poll.
In Bhola Sadar Municipality, Islami Shahontontro Andolon candidate Ataur Rahman Mamtaji quit the polls around 1:30pm complaining that his agents were ousted from the polling centres and illegal stuffing of ballot papers.
In Bhairab Municipality of Kishorganj, BNP mayoral candidate Mohammad Sahin boycotted the polls about 1.30pm alleging various irregularities and illegal stuffing. AL rebel candidate Shawkat Akbar from Bazitpur Municipality also boycotted election.
In Shahjadpur municipality of Sirajganj, Awami League rebel candidate Abdur Rahim declared the election boycott at about 10:30am. Rahim alleged AL-backed candidate Halimul Huq Miru’s supporters have already occupied almost all polling centres and stuffing the ballot boxes.