Elections to 204 union parishads continue amid reports of violence
Elections to 204 union parishads under 13 districts are progressing with some reports of violence and untoward incidents.
One person was killed in a clash in Bhola while two others were injured in an attack in Patuakhali during the UP elections.
Besides, an independent candidate boycotted election citing "vote rigging and irregularities".
BHOLA
Monir Hossain (23), a resident of Hazariganj Union Parishad, was killed and at least two others were injured during a clash between supporters of two Union Parishad member candidates -- Yeasin and Yousuf -- when voting was going on at South Char Fakira Kuayed Primary School centre in Char Fasson upzila.
PATUAKHALI
Two persons -- Rabbi (35) and Rash Mohon (38) -- were stabbed by rivals outside Keshabpur High School centre around 8:15am.
After the incident, the returning officer suspended voting at the centre for one and a half hours.
On information, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action battalion and additional police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
The injured were taken to Baufal Upazila Health Complex from where they were shifted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
BARGUNA
An independent chairman candidate of Bibichini union in Betagi upazila of Barguna, Md Anisur Rahman, boycotted the election bringing allegations of vote rigging and irregularities.
Md Anisur, a former UP chairman, also alleged that supporters of Awami League candidate Nowab Hossain Nayan carried out an attack on him last night.
They barred him from campaigning from the very beginning, our Patuakhali correspondent quoted Md Anisur.
BARISHAL
Elections at 173 union parishads under 33 upazilas in Barishal division began this morning amid rain.
Some of the voting centres saw crowds while voter turnout was less in some due to rain, reports our Barishal correspondent.
However, lack of physical distancing, use of mask and sanitising measures were noticeable at most centres.
A total of 28,98,869 voters will exercise their voting rights in the UP elections at the six districts under the division today.
Among the 173 unions, 19 are using electronic voting machines (EVM).
Md Mizanur Rahman, returning officer of three union parishads under Gouranodi upazila said that around 10 percent votes were cast at the centres since morning.
"Situation is favourable here, we hope voting rate will increase with time," he added.
Returning Officer Sanjib Kumar Sarkar of Monpura upazila said only five percent votes were cast till 10:30am.
"Voter turnout is low due to rain," he said.
On the other hand, some tensions were reported in Mathbari, Bauphal and Bakerhanj upazilas around the division, according to the local office election commission.
However, police brought the situations under control, the election commission office sources said.
PIROJPUR
Our Pirojpur correspondent reports, election is going on at 32 unions under seven upazilas peacefully but voters are not maintaining distancing and other health rules.
They were seen standing in the queue without enough gap between them and many of them did not wear masks.
Today, over 5.77 lakh people are expected to cast their votes in the district.
The elections are going on in 204 union parishad of Barishal, Barguna, Bhola, Jhalakathi, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rangpur, Bogura, Narsigndi, Gazipur, Madaripur, Sunamganj and Lakshmipur.
Election to 20 UPs are being held using electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the rest using traditional ballot paper.