Voters in Kushtia are no more interested to cast votes in the union parishad polls scheduled to be held today at Daulatpur upzila as they apprehending that they would not be able to franchise their democratic rights due to influence of musclemen of the Awami League candidates.
Local sources said many BNP nominated candidates had already withdrew themselves from polling race due to alleged threat of the ruling party men. Many of them have already announced their withdrawal at press conferences.
Candidates who are not contesting in the elections alleged that they could not conduct campaign properly as supporters of Awami League candidates torn out their posters and obstructed their supporters from conducting campaign.
Moklesur Rahman, a voter at Aria union parishad, said to win in the polls, the government had already taken all measures. As rival candidates were come under attacks, they had to withdraw themselves from electoral race.
“We can understand that candidates from the ruling party Awami League will win in the election. So, why should we go to polling centres taking life risks?,” he said.
Asraf Ali, a resident of Daulatpur union, said it was meaningless to go to the polling stations. “We should not go to polling stations to cast votes to waste our time,” he added.
Mahabul Hossain, a BNP-nominated candidate at Moricha union parishad, told the Dhaka Tribune that activists of the ruling party had forced him to stop campaign.
“We have informed the Election Commission and upzila nirbahi officer about the matter. But the situation is still the same,” he said.
BNP supported candidates at Hoglabaria and Piarpur union parishads Billal Hossain and Johurul Karim said they unofficially withdrew themselves from the election race fearing widespread violence.
Officer-in-Charge of Daulatpur police station Shahidul Islam Shahin told the Dhaka Tribune that law enforcement agencies would remain zero tolerance over any kind of irregularities. He expressed hope that the union parishad election would be held in peaceful and fair manner.
Daulatpur Upzila Nirbahi Officer Md Taufiqur Rahman they had taken all preparation to hold a free and fair election. Members of law enforcement agencies, including police and BGB, had started patrolling in the union parishad areas.
