<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Jatiya Party (Ershad)-backed mayoral candidate Md Shafiqul Islam Madhu has alleged that his agents are being barred from entering polling centres by supporters of Awami League (AL) candidate as Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election is underway.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He made the allegation while talking to the media after casting his vote at the Collegiate School centere, under ward 17 in Sonadanga Residential Area of Khulna city, around 10:30 am.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Expressing doubts about a fair election, the Jatiya Party-backed candidate said that a fair election under the current government is not possible, UNB's Barishal correspondent reported from the spot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the process to vote was slow at the polling stations, and the environment was not festive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Asked about his next course of action, Md Shafiqul Islam said, “I will officially inform you (journalists) about my stance after visiting a few more centres."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Voting in the KCC election began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines are being used at all the centres to take votes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Five candidates are vying for the mayoral post, 136 for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Awami League-backed candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque cast his vote at Pioneer Secondary Girls School centre on the city’s South Central Road around 9:10 am.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After voting, the mayoral candidate said the election is being held in a free, fair manner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I will accept whatever result coming from the voters,” he said, hoping that people will vote for him for continuation of the development.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are carrying out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>