Independent candidate Ashraful Hossen Alom, popularly known as Hero Alom, who is contesting with the ektara symbol for the Dhaka-17 by-polls, said he would stay in the field of voting until the end although he brought allegations of expelling his agents from 12 centers.

He said this while talking to the journalists after visiting the Banani Model School center in the capital.

In response to a question from reporters, he said, "We will decide later whether we will accept the results of the election. But we will stay in the field of voting until the end. We want to see how much they can torture us, how many times they expel our agents, and how much they force ballots to be stamped."

Earlier, he said, "The turnout of voters has been low since morning as they are afraid. I came to Banani Model School and saw that our agents were not allowed to enter." 

Hero Alom further said that since the agents are being barred from entering the centers, they (Awami League) have thought of a one-sided election.

When asked if the election officials and police have been informed about the expulsion of agents, he said, "The election officials have been informed. They have not yet been able to get our agents in. They say they are looking into the matter. I also called the Banani police station, and they also said they are looking into the matter."

When asked how much confidence he has in the Election Commission, he said, "If the agent cannot enter the center, then how will the voters come? I have agents in all the centers. A total of 600 agents have been given."

Hero Alom also alleged that the election environment is not very good as some of the agents were not allowed to enter the centers, and their mobile phones were snatched.

BDST: 1430 HRS, JULY 17, 2023
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