Chattogram City Corporation election begins amid cocktail explosions and clashes

The Chattogram City Corporation election began this morning with several cocktail bombs exploding in different wards, reports our staff correspondent from spot.

Several people were also injured due to clashes between the supporters of AL-backed councillors and rebel AL candidates.

Explosions were heard in Jalalabad, Pathantuli, Paschim Bakulia, Firingibazar and Lalkhan Bazar areas in the morning.

Although voters were seen coming to polling centres since 8am, when voting started, cocktail bomb explosions created a sense of fear.

Supporters of councillor candidates of the ruling party and rebel AL candidates also started clashes in different places.

Clash ensued between supporters of AL-nominated councillor candidate and AL rebel councillor aspirant in front of Shahidnagar City Corporation Girls High School in Lalkhanbazar area.

BGB, police personnel, executive magistrate arrived at Shahidnagar City Corporation Girls High School polling centre but didn't take any action rather than blowing whistle.

Meanwhile, several people were injured in another clash between the supporters of AL councillor candidate and rebel candidate in front of Asadganj Sobhania Alia Madrasa Centre.

At least 10 people were injured during a chase and counter-chase between the supporters of AL councillor candidate Abul Hasnat and rebel AL candidate Abul Fazl Kovid Manik in front of Tigerpass Government Primary School centre.

They pelted stones targeting each other, witnesses said.

Police fired tear gas shells to disperse them and brought the situation under control, said Assistant Commissioner (Bayezid Zone) Poritran Talukdar.

AL activists and an Ansar man barred our staff correspondent from taking photos of irregularities inside polling booth number-9 at the centre where two AL men were "helping" a voter to cast his vote inside the booth.

BNP-nominated reserved seat candidate (Lalkhanbazar, Baghmoniram and Jamalkhan) Monwara Begum Moni said she was not allowed to enter and cast her vote at Shahidnagar City Corporation Girls High School centre.

She claimed 320 agents of BNP were driven away from 44 centres.

Moni and her daughter came under attack by a group of people when she was talking to journalists in front of the centre around 9:50am, reports our Chattogram correspondent.

Moni claimed that supporters of AL candidate carried out the attack.

Protesting the attack, Moni staged a sit-in in front of the polling centre and also announced to boycott the polls.

Moni is a three-time councillor in the reserved seat for women.

BNP polling agents claimed to have been driven out from polling centres including Shah Waliullah Institute, Lok Proshashon, Saleh Jahur School, Khastogir School and National Primary School.

Voters at Shahidnagar City Corporation Girls High School in Lalkhanbazar alleged that supporters of AL candidate barred them from entering the centre. A few women voters were seen protesting and demanding to be allowed to enter to cast their votes. 

A female voter at the same centre alleged that a polling agent had cast her vote.

She also said that polling officials didn't pay any heed when she tried to complain.

When our staff correspondent asked the voter to identify said polling agent, police and AL men barred him, saying the incident was "not a big deal".

Presiding Officer refused to make any comment regarding the matter, saying he is busy.