EC receives scores of complaints

The Election Commission has received scores of complaints over anomalies in the fifth phase of the union parishad polls held on May 28.

Around 100 chairman and member candidates, who contested the polls, complained to the EC about different sorts of electoral irregularities on election day, said an EC official. 

Ruling Awami League chairman candidate Pir Maznu Miah in Goalabazar union of Sylhet's Osmaninagar upazila yesterday demanded re-voting in three polling centres, claiming that ballot boxes were stuffed there by the supporters of independent candidate Anhar Ahmad, who is also a Jamaat leader.

Returning officer, presiding officer and law enforcers did not take any action despite repeated complaints in this regard, the AL candidate alleged.

Maznu alleged that men of the independent candidate cast fake votes and stuffed ballot boxes at three polling centres. Moreover, presiding officer of polling centre-1 cancelled 102 votes that were cast for "Boat" symbol without proper grounds.

Maznu had lost the election.

Abdul Wahab, AL chairman aspirant in Arjuntola union of Noakhali's Senbagh upazila, alleged that presiding officer of a polling centre illegally withheld the results of the centre to favour the BNP-nominated candidate.  

Yunus Ali Mandal, a member candidate in Udaypur UP of Joypurhat's Kalai upazila, alleged that presiding officer of a polling centre helped another member candidate stuff ballot boxes and manipulated the election results.

Asked, EC's Secretary Sirazul Islam said the commission would go through the allegations and look into those complaints.

Meanwhile, the police authorities have requested the EC to defer polls of three UPs of Chittagong's Banshkhali upazila, fearing deterioration of law and order there.

On April 4, at least four people were killed and 30 others injured in a clash between law enforcers and locals in Banshkhali over the installation of a coal-based power plant there.

In a letter, police said locals were dissatisfied and angry. It would be difficult for law enforcers to maintain law and order, if elections were held there.

The letter signed by Anisur Rahman, assistant inspector general (AIG-operations) of police headquarters, suggested holding polls there after Eid-ul-Fitr.

The three UPs are Gandamara, Chanua and Khankhanabad.

In Narsingdi, at least 40 houses were vandalised and valuables worth around Tk 50 lakh were looted during a clash between the supporters of two defeated member aspirants and two members-elect in Karimpur union under Sadar upazila yesterday, reports our correspondent.

Around 40 people were hurt in the clash.

Elections to around 3,290 UPs were held in five phases from March 22 to May 28.

At least 113 people were killed in violence over the UP polls, according to media reports.