First all-EVM UP polls mostly peaceful

The sixth phase of the union parishad elections held yesterday was peaceful compared to previous phases.

In this phase, the Election Commission held its first major all-Electronic Voting Machine polls in rural areas.

Many voters said they faced inconveniences when voting through EVMs. The machines were used in 216 of the 218 unions yesterday.

People's lack of experience slowed down voting in several polling centres, while there were allegations that supporters of the ruling Awami League candidates tried to occupy voting centres.

EC Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker, however, said voting was peaceful.

About 42 lakh voters of 218 unions in 22 districts were expected to cast their votes, but due to the ongoing cold wave, the turnout of voters was low.

Humayun estimated about 55 percent of the voters cast their votes.

Supporters of AL candidate Khwaja Khair Sujon allegedly stormed the Ashfaqul Haque Manna Alim Madrasa Centre of Nabipur Union in Noakhali's Senbagh upazila, where EVMs were not used.

"They snatched some ballots and sealed the boat symbol," claimed voters.

Presiding Officer Krishna Gopal Roy said 35 ballots were cancelled due to this.

Meanwhile, AL rebel candidate Belayet Hossain's supporters opened fire on law enforcers in front of the centre.

Ikbal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Senbagh police, said they have arrested two men in this connection.

Rajab Ali, a voter of Gopalpur's Alamnagar union in Tangail, went to vote at Joynagar Government Primary School Centre.

"After voters' identities were confirmed to vote using the EVM, agents of the Awami League candidate were seen pressing the button on the boat symbol."

Presiding Officer Prodip Kumar Pal said there was one such incident when voting began, but law enforcers later brought the situation under control.

Voters Habibur Rahman and Sharfun Nahar, alleged that after their fingerprints matched at the Sener Char Government Primary School Centre in Hadira union, Ansar member Kabir Miah pressed the voting button before they could.

Kabir Miah, however, said he only assisted those who could not use the EVM.

Voting was delayed by an hour and half at Shikkha Sadan High School of Kasba upazila's Bayek union and Bhairabnagar Government Primary School of Nabinagar upazila's Bidyakrit union in Brahmanbaria due to technical glitches in the EVMs, according to the centres' presiding officers.

Rashedul Islam Chowdhury, AL rebel candidate at Juidandi union in Chattogram's Anwara upazila, boycotted the election in the morning alleging AL nominated candidates' men "occupied several polling centres" and also drove out his agents from several of them.

AL chairman candidate Mohammed Idris denied the allegations, while Returning Officer Abdus Shukkur said they did not receive any specific complaint of vote rigging.