Nearly four hours after the voting began, BNP mayoral candidate Mujibur Rahman Sarwar boycotted Barishal City Corporation polls, bringing the allegation of widespread vote rigging and other irregularities.

Sarwar announced the decision at a press conference at Barishal Press Club at noon, reports the UNB.

Besides, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Obaidur Rahman Mahbub also pulled out of the race citing the same allegations.

Sarwar claimed that his polling agents were obstructed from entering at least 70-80 centres.

He alleged that ruling party men were stuffing boxes with ballots in most centres with the help of law enforcers. ‘The government has destroyed the country’s election system. This can’t continue.’

The BNP candidate said he called upon the Election Commission to postpone the polls, but it did not pay heed to it. ‘So, we condemn the role of the Election Commission. We have boycotted and turned down the polls.’

Leaders and activists of BNP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal’s (BSD) staged demonstrations in the city protesting the vote ‘rigging and election irregularities’.