Expelling nine leaders for trying to participate in the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election, defying the party’s decision, BNP has apparently directed its local leaders and activists to stay away from the polling stations.

“Anyone found breaching party orders to stay away from the city corporation polls will be expelled immediately,” warned Shafiqul Islam Tuhin, member secretary of Khulna city unit of BNP.

The central command’s order to boycott city polls generated a mixed reaction from the grassroots level.

In addition to being party activists, supporters and leaders, they are also voters; so, prohibiting them from going to the polling stations is an attempt to halt the election process, observed many.

In light of the new US visa policy to promote free and fair elections, it is important to see if such attempts to hinder the voting process come into consideration, veteran journalist and researcher Ajoy Das Gupta said.

BNP is boycotting the ongoing city corporation polls, taking place in Khulna and Barishal today.