The upazila unit of BNP has boycotted the election and called a half-day hartal for Thursday in Gournadi upazila of Barisal.
BNP-backed candidates complained of rigging and boycotted the upazila election in Gournadi upazila, Barisal on Wednesday.
Barisal (north) BNP President Abdus Sobhan issued the statement and called for enforcing a half-day strike in protest for Thursday.
BNP-backed candidates Abul Hossain Mia, Zahir Sajjad, Taslima Begum and rebel candidate Lokman Hossain Khan alleged that their agents were thrown out from polling stations.
They also complained against the administration for biasness towards the ruling party. They said they will file a complaint with the Election Commission.
“We want army deployment, however it was not done. The law enforcement agencies also failed to create an environment for free polls,” they said.
However, Barisal police Superintendent AKM Ehsan Ullah said he did not receive any complaint in this regard.
Awami League-backed candidate in Gournadi, Shah Alam Khan, denied all allegations and said problems had arisen between the candidates and rebels of BNP.
Voting was low in the first two hours at Kasemabad Siddikia Madrasa and Ashukathi Primary School, Presiding Officers Anwar Hossain and Kawsar Hossain said. They hoped turnout will increase as the day progresses.
