My polling agents being driven out: SCC Jatiya Party candidate

Jatiya Party mayoral candidate Nazrul Islam Babul said the prevailing atmosphere in the Sylhet City Corporation polls allowed no scope for a free and fair election.

"My polling agents at different centres are being driven out," he alleged after casting his vote at Ananda Niketan centre around 9:30am.

"I provided polling agents at all centres of Ward 42. But I have been receiving calls since morning about polling agents not being allowed to enter the booths. Some were driven out," the Jatiya Party leader alleged.

People carrying cards with the boat symbol, the electoral symbol of the ruling Awami League, were threatening voters, Nazrul alleged.

"If muscle power is used in this way, then the election will not be fair. There is no scope of free and fair election," he said.

Asked whether he lodged any complaint with the returning officer, Nazrul said "the returning officer is in the pocket of one side. The administration, Election Commission and Returning Officer are working for boat."

Returning Officer Faisal Quader could not be reached on his phone for comment, despite several attempts.