Independent candidates for Dhaka-17 constituency by-elections accused ruling Awami League supporters of ousting their polling agents from voting centres on Monday.

Independent candidate Ashraful Hossain, popularly known as Hero Alam, alleged that his polling agents were barred from entering polling centres and they were attacked by ruling Awami League activists.

Alam said that his agents were ousted by ruling party activists from 12 centers.

‘The ruling party’s activists have resorted to intimidating tactics to oust my agents. They physically assaulted some of our agents, including women, and barred them from entering the polling centres,’ said the independent candidate at Banani Model School centre in the morning.

Asked in which polling centres his agents faced trouble entering, he mentioned Bhashantek Govt Primary School, Adamji Cantonment College, Matikata High School, and Jamia Madrasa centres.

He expressed concern about the fairness of the election.

‘However, I’m determined to remain in the electoral race until the end,’ he said.

Another independent candidate Tarekul Islam boycotted the elections accusing Awami League of vote rigging.

Tarekul made the announcement after voting began at about 8:00am.

‘A fair election is not possible under the current government,’ Tarekul told reporters at Dhaka’s Banani Model School polling centre.

He said that he withdrew from the polls as his polling agents were ‘obstructed’ from entering polling stations.

‘None of my agents were allowed to enter polling stations. Awami League leaders and activists have created a hostile situation outside the centres; even police are obstructing my people from entering the polling centres,’ he claimed.