He came up with the demand at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).

“A farce was staged in the name of by-polls to Dhaka-5 seat on October 17. No one of our polling agents was allowed to enter the polling station, and those who did it were driven out,” the Jatiya Party candidate said.

He said, “Government-backed terrorist gangs didn’t allow any of our agents to vote, let alone the general voters. They captured every voting centre with the backing of the government while the police administration didn’t take any action against them. The lives of all of our workers were in danger on that day.”

Asud said it has become impossible for any civilised and decent person to contest any election under the current situation of the country.

He also alleged that the repression on their party workers is still going on.

Mentioning that a fair and credible election is not possible under the current Election Commission (EC), the Jatiya Party candidate said he has already lodged written complaints with the Commission demanding cancellation of the election.

“I also registered complaints on various irregularities and obstruction through election campaign by government supporters during the election, but they (EC) didn't pay any heed to them. Instead, the EC said it didn't receive any complaint and claimed the election was fair. This is the greatest lie of all time.”

Earlier, BNP and its candidate Salahuddin Ahmed also demanded reelection to Dhaka-5 bringing similar allegations. 

The voting in the by-polls to the Dhaka-5 and Naogaon-6 seats was held on Saturday amid various election irregularities and low-presence of voters.

Awami League-backed candidates unofficially elected in the by-polls as per the results announced by the returning officers concerned.

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