DHAKA: BNP led 19-party alliance called hartal in three upazilas of Khulna, Feni and Barisal districts for Monday protesting the vote manipulation in the ongoing fourth phase upazila election.

In Barisal, BNP-backed candidate SM Afjal Hossain, Awami League rebel candidate Jothindranath Mintri, Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate M Rafiqul Nabi Bhatti and independent candidate Giasudddin Khan boycotted ongoing Aghailjhara upazila parishad elections on allegation of vote manipulation.

Later, local BNP called a half-day hartal in the upazila of the district for Monday.

In Khulna, 19-party alliances candidate Mejbaul Alam boycotted the election and called the hartal for Monday at his office in Terkhada upazila due to vote manipulation.

On the other hand, Upazila BNP called a daylong hartal for Monday at Sonagazi upazila of the district alleging unfair polls and vote rigging in the upazila.

Upazila BNP President Gias Uddin came up with the declaration in a press briefing at 12:30 pm.

BDST: 1342 HRS, MAR 23, 2014