At least three dozen chairman candidates from Barisal division, mainly from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and rebel candidates of the Awami League yesterday boycotted the ongoing fourth phase of upazila election in seven upazilas on allegations of violence and vote rigging by ruling party-backed candidates and supporters.
The boycott took place in Agoiljhara and Uzirpurupazilas of Barisal, Monpura, Doulotkhan, Tojumuddin and Monpuraupazilas of Bhola and Nalcity upazila of Jhalakathi.
In Agoiljhara, 16 candidates boycotted the polls within the first two hours into the polling. Only AL backed-chairman candidate- GolamMortuza Khan remained in election race, out of five candidates for the chairman post.
Agoiljhra BNP also called a half-day hartal in the upazila today, protesting vote rigging and demanding a fresh, free and fair election on a level playing field, BNP-backed chairman candidate SM Afzal Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune.
JatindraNathMistri, an AL rebel candidate for chairman post, alleged that GolamMortuza Khan and his supporters, with the help of the local administration and law enforcers, had harassed his voters and threatened the minority communities not to cast their votes.
Denying the allegations GolamMortuza Khan said, “Rival candidates are raising false allegations assuming their sure defeat. Minority voters of the upazila will cast votes for the AL backed candidate, not for rebels or BNP-backed candidates.”
Barisal District Police Superintendent AKM EhsanUllah and District Election And Returning Officer Dulal Talukdar said Police, Ansar, RAB, Army, BGB had performed their duties to ensure the security of the voters.
In Uzirpur upazila, three BNP and Jamaat candidates boycotted the polls.
BNP-backed chairman candidate Abdul MajedTalukdar and Jamaat-backed vice-chairman candidate Abdul Mannan and BNP-backed female vice-chairman candidate Nurun Nesa boycotted the polls.
In Monpura upazila of Bhola, BNP- backed chairman candidate Shamsuddin Bachchu Chowdhury, Jamaat backed vice chairman Hafez Mawlana Rafikul Islam, independent chairman candidates Rakib Chowdhury, Zobayer Hasan, independent candidate Yasmin JahanMinuandAL-rebel women vice chairman candidate Parvin AktarRebu boycotted the polls.
Abu Sayeed, additional deputy commissioner Bhola and the returning officer, said he was not informed about the boycotting of the election or the demand for a fresh poll from the candidates. In Nalcity upazila of Jhalakathi, around six candidates boycotted the election.
BNP backed chairman candidates KM Anisur Rahman, Shah Alam Miaand ShahadatMenon, IslamiAndolon- backed candidates Sihabuddin Ahmed and Amirunnessa, Bangladesh for vice chairman, and AL-rebel candidate for women vice-chairman ZakiaSiddika, boycotted the polls.
After Shah Alam boycotted polls, Md. GolamFaruk, AL backed candidate was the lone candidate for the chairman post.
BNP backed candidates and two rival candidates of the party also boycotted the polls in Doulotkhan, Tojumuddin and Monpuraupazilas of Bhola and demanded a fresh election in the upazila, reported our Bhola correspondent.
At least 10 people were injured when a clash erupted between the supporters of two chairman candidates at Joinogor Fokir Bari centre in Doulotkhan. Later, police and BGB took control of the situation.
BNP backed candidates Samsuddin Bacchu Johurul Islam Khushbu, Amirul Islam Baset, and rebel BNP candidates Mostafizur Rahman and Golam Mostafa Mintu boycotted the polls.
The candidates demanded postponement of ongoing voting and a fresh election in the upazila with assurance from the administration over the security of their workers and voters.
Meanwhile, an activist of Jubo League was beaten to death in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi district during a clash centring the upazila polls.
The deceased was identified as Ripon, 24, hailing from Dakkhin Tarabunia.
Awami League-backed chairman candidate Munir Hossain claimed that supporters of BNP-backed chairman candidate Nasim Akon assaulted Ripon and other election workers at Tarabunia vote centre at around noon.
“The victim was rushed to Barisal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital with severe injuries to the head. He later succumbed to his injuries at 4:00pm,” he said.
Nazrul Islam, officer in charge of Rajapur police station said, no case was lodged and the dead body was sent for autopsy.
