On the backdrop of various allegations, nine BNP-backed chairman candidates boycotted the union parishad election race in Pabna, Natore, Brahmanbaria, Feni, Narsingdi and Manikganj districts on Saturday. In Pabna, three BNP chairman candidates boycotted the polls in Tatibandha, Sagorkandi and Raninagar unions of Sujanagar upazila citing reason of various irregularities. The chairman aspirants, Abdur Rouf, organising secretary of Sujanagar upazila unit of BNP, Abdus Salam of Sagorkandi and Tipu Sultan of Raninagar union announced the election boycott in the morning. The candidates pulled out of the race accusing the men of the ruling party of capturing polling centres, obstructing their supporters in casting votes, forcing his agents out of the centre and also casting fake votes, reports news agency UNB. In Natore, a pro-BNP chairman candidate Jahurul Islam Bhutto pulled himself of the election as supporters of the ruling party candidate obstructed the BNP men from casting their votes. In Brahmanbaria, BNP candidate Ziauddin Khan Nayan in Budhanti union of Bijoynagar upazila boycotted the election alleging vote rigging and irregularities. In Feni, Jakir Hossain Jashim, a BNP-backed chairman candidate of Dhania union in Sadar upazila boycotted the polls on the same allegations. He made the announcement at a press briefing around 12 pm. In Narsingdi, Amjad Hossain Rashid, a BNP candidate of Morjal union and Abdul Matin Bachchhu of Hyermara union in Raipura upazila, pulled themselves out of the election as supporters of the ruling party candidate allegedly took control four polling centres. In Manikganj, BNP candidate Abdul Ali at Dhalla union in Singair upazila pulled himself of the election race on allegation of capturing polling centres by some ruling party men, obstructing their supporters in casting votes, forcing his agents out of the centre and also casting fake votes.