BMA election held amid boycott by DAB

The election to the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) was held across the country yesterday, with participation of only the ruling party-backed panel of Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad (SCP).

Three other panels, including the main opposition BNP-backed panel of Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB), boycotted the election, expressing doubts about the credibility of the election process.

Meanwhile, clashes between the factions of SCP took place at Sylhet Osmani Medical College centre, disrupting voting for about one hour, our staff correspondent in Sylhet reports.

The turnout of voters was also low across the country.

The Chief Election Commissioner of BMA Dr AS Mashiur Rahman said, "The polling started at 9:00am and continued until 5:00pm without any interruption."

"The election was held peacefully. The polling agents did not report any violence," he said.

Dr Mashiur said 40 percent of the total 10,100 votes were cast in Dhaka district.

SCP claimed that voter turnout across the country was 70 percent.

Dr Sharfuddin Ahmed, SCP candidate for the post of secretary general, said the election was peaceful except a trivial incident at Sylhet.

SCP was divided over selection of its candidates, particularly for the post of secretary general.

In Sylhet, two factions of SCP contested the election. Dr Rukan led the official SCP panel while Dr Mahbub led the other faction.

The counting of votes was going on as of filing of the report last night. The results will be available today, said the chief election commissioner.