Just after announcement of the decision, candidates of Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance rushed to the offices of the respective returning officers in the afternoon to withdrew their candidatures.

The aspirants included leaders of 14-party combine, HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party (JP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and those of Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ).

Our correspondents in different districts talked to the grand alliance candidates after withdrawal of nomination papers where they expressed their determination to resist any farcical election without realising their demands.

However, many candidates in Barisal and Rajshahi termed the decision 'too late' expressing dismay over the decision.

Our Chittagong Staff Correspondent reports: All the candidates of grand alliance in 15 constituencies in the port city withdrew their nomination papers.

Candidates of AL, JP (Ershad), LDP and IOJ gathered at a city community centre at around 1.00pm where they held a brief rally.

Later, they went to the Divisional Commissioner's office to withdraw nomination papers.

City Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury who submitted nomination papers from Chittagong-8 and 9 constituencies as an AL candidate led the other candidates of grand alliance in withdrawing their candidatures.

AL leaders Kazi Inamul Haq Danu, Afsarul Amin, Monjur Alam Monju, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) leader Moinuddin Khan Badal, LDP leader Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, JP leader Solaiman Seth and IOJ leader Ashfaq Bin Yakub were present among others.

While addressing, Mohiuddin termed the decision of polls boycott as wise and timely saying, Awami League and grand alliance partners are not at all afraid of election, because 'we are pro-people parties,' he said.

Mohiuddin said the voter list prepared by the Election Commission (EC) is full of flaws which would benefit the BNP and its allies.

While withdrawing the nomination paper, LDP leader Ekramul Karim who earlier submitted his nomination paper in Chittagong-8 (Double Mooring) constituency, said. 'We were prepared to contest the election, but the caretaker government and EC failed miserably to ensure an atmosphere to hold a free, fair and credible election.'

Our Staff Correspondent from Rajshahi reports:

All the five grand alliance candidates in Rajshahi district yesterday withdrew nomination papers, but two of them expressed utter dissatisfaction over the 'late decision.'

A grand alliance candidate, preferring anonymity, said it (agitation) should have been called just after expiry of the BNP-Jamaat-led Alliance government.

Another AL leader said that the grand alliance delayed in taking the decision for agitation against the caretaker government headed by President Iazuddin.

Candidates of five constituencies in Rajshahi -- Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Fazle Hossain Badsha, Sardar Amjad Hossain, Tajul Islam Mohammad Faruk and AHM Khairuzzaman Liton --- led a big procession before going to the office of the returning officer.

After withdrawing their candidatures, they addressed a big rally on the Shahid Minar premises In Rajshahi court.

They said that there was no congenial atmosphere for election due to lack of voter list.

Our Barisal Correspondent reports: Grand alliance leaders and workers brought out a procession and held a rally in the city hailing the decision.

City AL convener Shawkat Hossain Hiron, who was a grand alliance candidate from Barisal-5 constituency said participation in polls would give legality to election engineering of the caretaker government.

He reiterated the demand of grand alliance saying no free and fair election is not possible without resignation of Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of chief advisor, reconstitution of EC and correct voter list.

Advocate Baktiar Khan Iqbal, a JP (Ershad) leader and a candidate from Barisal-3 constituency termed the decision as a wise one.

Pankaj Debnath, AL candidate from Barisal-4 constituency blamed the caretaker government for the boycott.

A number of leaders of grand alliance in Barisal said to this correspondent on condition of anonymity that the decision confused them. He also said the announcement was too late.

Our Rangpur Correspondent writes: About 48 out of 83 candidates of grand alliance in six constituencies of the district withdrew nomination papers soon after announcement of the decision.

Jatiya Party candidates led by Moshiur Rahman Ranga withdrew nominations at about 4:00 pm

People of Rangpur and adjoining districts would never accept any election without participation of party chairman HM Ershad in election, he said. I think, the decision has reflected the hopes and aspirations of local people, he said.

AL leader Mosaddeque Hosen Bablu said people of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat districts had foiled the February 15 election in 1996. This time they would again foil any such farcical election, he said.

Grand alliance candidates in Sylhet, Dinajpur, Mymensingh and Rangamati expressed similar views during exchange of opinion with the district correspondents.