Upazila Polls: 5th phase sees poor turnout, irregularities

Some stray incidents of violence, irregularities, and low turnout marked the fifth and final phase of the upazila polls across the country yesterday.

At least 23 people were injured in clashes in two out of the 23 upazilas that went to polls, reports our correspondents.

However, Election Commission Secretary Md Alamgir in a post-polls briefing at his office said elections were held in a free, fair and peaceful manner, except for some stray incidents.

Of the total 492 upazilas, around 480 went to polls in five phases this year. Elections were held on March 10, 18, 24 and 31, according to EC sources.

At least seven people were killed and around 100 others injured on election-day violence in five phases, according to media reports.

In Brahmanbaria, at least 13 people were injured in clashes in different areas during voting in Bijoynagar upazila yesterday.

Nasima Lutfur, an independent chairman candidate in the upazila, alleged that supporters of Awami League chairman candidate Tanvir Bhuiyan attacked her home in Brahmanbaria town’s Haldarpara area.

Talking to journalists, Nasima said around 20 to 25 people vandalised several cars and a motorbike and looted valuables from her house.

Denying the allegation, Tanvir said he knew nothing about the attack.

At least 10 AL men were injured when they clashed with villagers at Boropukurpar Government Primary School polling centre around 12:30pm. Locals said the clash ensued when the AL men tried to snatch EVM machines and other equipment from the centre.

In another incident, polling agents of the AL chairman candidate snatched EVM machines and computer monitors from Satgaon Government Primary School polling centre around noon. Polling was suspended at the centre for around an hour and forty-five minutes, said Presiding Officer Nur Mahmood.

In Sirajganj, at least 10 people were injured in a clash between supporters of AL chairman candidate Abdul Matin and independent candidate Shahidullah Sabuz at Choubaria Islamia High School polling center in Kamarkhand upazila in the morning.

The clash began following an altercation between the two groups over distribution of voter slip, said Md Habibul Islam, OC of Kamarkhand Police Station.

Most of the polling stations in Kamarkhand upazila saw low turnout.

In Feni, turnout was very low in most of the polling stations in Chagalnayya upazila.

Out of 2,175 voters, only four cast their votes at Koiyara Zafar Imam High School polling centre till 4:00pm.

In Khulna, a gun and 12 bullets were lost from Assistant Sub-Inspector Nazmul Haque of Dhigholia Police Station while he was discharging election duties in Dumuria upazila.

Our correspondents in Brahmanbaria, Pabna, Feni and Khulna contributed to this report.