Independent Candidate Tarikul Boycotts Dhaka-17 By-polls

Less than two hours after voting began for the Dhaka-17, independent candidate Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan, chairman of the Jonotar Adhikar Party, boycotted the election.

On Monday morning at the Banani Model School center, he made his decision known to the media.

Tarikul, who was contesting the polls with electoral symbol “Truck”, said: “Fair elections are not possible under this government, it has been proved once again. So, I boycotted this election.”

On Monday at 8 am, voting for the Dhaka-17 by-election started.

The Dhaka-17 seat, which includes the Dhaka cantonment region and wards 15, 18, 19, and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation, has 125 voting places and 325,205 registered voters.

A total of eight MP candidates are contesting in the by-polls. The candidates are Mohammad Arafat (Boat), Ashraful Hossen Alom alias Hero Alom (Ektara), Major (retd) Sikder Anisur Rahman (Plough), Kazi Md Rashedul Hassan Rashed (Rose), Major (retd) Sheikh Habibur Rahman (Sonali Aash), Rezaul Islam Swapan (Green Coconut), Mohammad Akhter Hossain (Chari) and Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan (Truck).

As a test run for the national election, the Election Commission (EC) has made every effort to hold the voting in a free, fair, and credible way, utilizing paper ballots rather than electronic voting machines (EVMs).

To oversee the polling from its main office, the EC has placed CCTV cameras in every center. Striking forces have been sent out to stop any nefarious intentions.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has increased monitoring as well and stated that they are prepared to guarantee a smooth election.

The Dhaka-17 constituency, consisting of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and a portion of the Dhaka Cantonment, fell vacant following the death of actor Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque.

It holds the distinction of being the most affluent constituency in the capital.