5th Phase Municipality Polls: Irregularities widespread

Municipal polls in many places were marked by widespread allegations of voter fraud, flouting of laws and violence that left one man dead and several others injured.

Many voters alleged that after their identities were confirmed for casting votes via electronic voting machines (EVMs), someone in the voting booths pressed the button on the ruling Awami League's electoral symbol "boat" for the mayoral post.

Political parties are nominating mayor candidates, but not councillor ones.

Several BNP mayoral nominees and independent contenders boycotted the polls, alleging blatant violation of rules by AL activists.

Elections were held in 29 municipalities in 20 districts in the fifth phase yesterday.

In Nilphamari's Saidpur municipality polls, Chhoton Adhikari, 54, a supporter of councillor candidate Nazrul Islam Royal, was killed in a clash with supporters of rival candidates at Mohila College centre in ward-5.

Witnesses said they clashed over establishing supremacy near the polling centre around noon.

At one point, followers of councillor candidates -- Madedur Rahman and Akhtar Hossain -- attacked Chhoton. He fell to the ground and was taken to Saidpur 100-bed Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Omidul Hasan, resident medical officer of the hospital, said, "Further details [about his death] could be known after performing autopsy."

Abul Hasnat Khan, officer-in-charge of Saidpur Police Station, said the clash took place near the poling centre and police brought the situation under control immediately.

Five others were also injured during the clash.

Earlier, Jatiya Party mayoral candidate Siddiqul Alam boycotted the polls, alleging irregularities and attack on his supporters.

In Brahmanbaria municipality polls, AL, Jubo League and Chhatra League men took control of voting booths in many polling stations and voted for AL mayoral nominee Nayar Kabir, alleged voters.

While visiting several polling centres, our district correspondent also found that a group of young men wearing badges of "boat symbol" around their necks took position next to the voting booths in most of the centres.

At Brahmanbaria Government Mohila College centre, the EVM machines for mayoral polls were set up outside the voting booths, while the machines for election in general councillor posts and those for the reserved seats for women were inside the voting booths.

Asked why the EVM machine for mayoral polls was kept outside the voting booth, polling official Abdul Baset of booth-1 said, "It [EVM machine] was moved by the wind."

Satya Das, a voter who came to the polling station, said, "I wanted to vote for the candidate of my choice, but they [AL men] forced me to vote for the boat symbol. I protested. In the end, I was forced to vote in front of them."

Many candidates alleged that members of law enforcement agencies did not prevent the youths wearing badges of "boat symbol" from entering the voting booths.

Mahmudul Haque Bhuiyan, an independent mayoral contender, said his agents were driven out from 23 centres after 10:00am. "Since then, those who came to the centre have been forced to cast votes for the boat symbol."

Returning Officer Zillur Rahman said nobody made any complaints about taking control of voting booths. "I visited many centres and did not see such things."

In Laxmipur's Raipur municipality election, ruling party activists took position inside the voting booths and voted for AL mayoral candidate after voters' identities were confirmed, alleged many voters at Madhupur Government Primary School centre.

Talking to reporters, Presiding Officer Sharif Hossain claimed that no voter made such complaints. "Voting is going on properly".

BNP mayoral candidate Shah Mohammad said he would not take part in Jamalpur municipality polls, alleging that ruling party men took control of polling centres and did not allow his agents to enter most of the centres.

Shamsul Haque, BNP mayoral nominee in Joypurhat municipality election, demanded a re-lection, bringing allegation of irregularities during the polls.

EC'S REACTION

Election Commission Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker yesterday evening said the hourly reports sent by returning officers and the Monitoring Cell showed that the polls were held in a festive atmosphere.

About a man's death in Saidpur of Nilphamari, Humayun told reporters at the EC secretariat in the capital's Agargaon, "No death is desired. That is why we are all sorry."

"There were no signs of injuries on his body. We can know the cause of his death when autopsy report is available," he added.

[Our correspondents in Nilphamari, Brahmanbaria, Noakhali and Dinajpur contributed to this report.]