Dhaka: BNP-supported Mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Tabith Awal on Tuesday boycotted the election terming it a mockery.

‘I had tried my best to be there in the election till the end. Calling it an election is not the right word, anyway,’ he said.

Addressing a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan headquarters, Tabith alleged that it has become clear that the government and the Election Commission have no intention to hold fair polls.

‘It’s my question to them as to why they made such a mockery in the name of polls. After evaluating the overall situation, I’ve decided to boycott the polls,’ a dejected Tabith told the press conference.

He alleged that he did not find any of his polling agents at the poling centres when he visited those as they were forced out. ‘Many of my agents were forced to leave the polling stations in front of me. I was simply helpless.’

Tabith said he found some policemen at a polling centre at Mirpur Bangabandhu Bidhya Niketan without any badge and nameplate.

He said he did not get any satisfactory reply from those police personnel as to why they do not have the badge and nameplate.

The DNCC-BNP-backed candidate claimed that ruling party men took control over all the centres and they were working out who will cast vote and who will not. ‘I didn’t see any election environment at any poling centre.’  

He also claimed that he was even obstructed by the ruling party men and law enforcers at some polling stations.’