DHAKA: The dawn-to-dusk hartal, enforced by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is underway peacefully in 10 upazilas of eight districts on Thursday protesting vote rigging and capturing polling centres in the first phase upazila polls held on February 19.

The upazilas are: Meherpur Sadar, South Bakerganj and Gaurnadi of Barisal, Sujanagar of Pabna, Kazipur of Sirajganj, Sonatala of Bogra, Lalmohan of Bhola, Jhenidah Sadar and Shailkupa and Bajitpur upazilas of Kishoreganj district.

No untoward incident was reported from upazilas.

On Wednesday afternoon, Joint secretary general of the party Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, in a press conference at Naya Paltan party office, called the daylong hartal in the ten upazilas for Thrusday.

Rizvi alleged that ruling Awami League men with the help of administration rigged votes and captured polling centres.

He also criticized the government and the election commission regarding vote manipulation.

BDST: 1111 HRS, FEB 20, 2014