Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan, an independent candidate contesting the Dhaka-17 by-polls, boycotted the election this morning amid allegations of irregularities.
Tariqul made the announcement after voting began around 8 am this morning (July 17, 2023).
“A fair election is not possible under the current government,” Tariqul told media at Dhaka’s Banani Model School polling centre.
Read: EC monitoring Dhaka-17 by-polls, elections of 2 municipalities through CCTV cameras
He said that he withdrew from the polls as his polling agents were “obstructed” from entering polling stations.
“None of my agents were allowed to enter polling stations. Awami League leaders and activists have created a hostile situation outside the centres; even police are obstructing my people from entering the polling centres," he claimed.
Voting in Dhaka-17 constituency started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
Read: Voting for Dhaka-17 by-polls, election in 7 municipalities underway