Gaibandha-5 by-poll: All candidates except AL nominee, boycott

Except for the Awami League nominee, all candidates in the Gaibandha-5 (Fulchhari-Saghata) by-elections opted not to vote on Wednesday.

Four candidates made the announcement at 11:11:30am at a news conference on Bagervita Government Primary School ground in Saghata Upazila. 

They brought allegations of vote rigging and irregularities.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission (EC) has postponed voting at 41 voting stations in the Gaibandha-5 (Fulchhari-Saghata) due to irregularities.

Voting began at 88 voting stations in Saghata upazila and 57 in Fulchhari upazila at 8am. 

At 952 booths in 145 centers, voting is being conducted using electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the first time.

Kazi Habibul Awal, the chief election commissioner (CEC), said, "Through CCTV, we are closely monitoring the election commission."

When asked about reasons, he responded, "We won't mention this! We have observed irregularities. Serious irregularities.

"We are the Election Commission, an impartial body. There have been some irregularities, and there was no fair election. It won't represent the general opinion. We have postponed voting at those locations already.

The chief election commissioner stated, "We are monitoring further."