Describing the attack on Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) candidate Mufti Syed Faizul Karim during the Barishal City Corporation polls as ‘cowardly’, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said it has been proved once again that credible elections are never possible under the current ‘illegal’ government.

In a statement, the BNP leader strongly denounced the incident and blamed the ruling party 'cadres' for it.

Read more: Barishal city polls: Clash between AL, Islami Andolon supporters leaves several injured

“The terrorist attack on a religious leader and a mayoral candidate in broad daylight under the nose of the administration is cowardly and despicable. This barbaric attack has once again exposed that the Awami League can’t tolerate any candidate from the opposition other than their ones,” Fakhrul said.

He said the ruling party has an attitude to ensure the victory of its candidate by any means.

The BNP leader also came down hard on the Election Commission (EC) saying it cannot do anything going beyond the government’s instructions.

He said the EC has completely failed to conduct such an election held without the participation of opposition parties.

“Since a mayoral candidate is attacked by the ruling party cadres, where is the safety of ordinary voters? The opposition parties did not take part in the polls because of such an election atmosphere,” he said.

Read more: Islami Andolan Bangladesh rejects Barishal, Khulna city polls results

"I would like to clearly say that no fair election is possible by any means under the Awami League," he observed.

Fakhrul demanded the immediate arrest of the ruling party cadres involved in the attack on Islami Andolan mayoral candidate Faizul Karim and mete out exemplary punishment to them.

lAB candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, who contested the Brishal polls with the ‘hand fan’ symbol, alleged that several of his supporters as well as he were injured in an attack by AL men at Kawnia Secondary Girls School polling station.

Also read: AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election

He said voters and his agents were forced to leave the Kawnia centre and Manik Miah centre.

Later at a press conference, IAB rejected the results of the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and Barishal City Corporation (BCC) elections alleging huge irregularities.

The party also announced to boycott upcoming Sylhet and Rajshahi city elections slated to be held on June 21.

Also read: AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls