2nd phase of UP elections underway, 7 injured in Cumilla clashes
Elections to 835 unions is underway in several districts of Bangladesh this morning amid incidents of clashes and arrest in Cumilla and Manikganj.
The second phase of the Union Parishad (UP) elections began at 8am today and will continue until 4pm without any break in between.
CUMILLA
At least five people were injured in a chase and counter-chase between supporters of Awami League and rebel candidates at Ramprashad centre in Chalibhanga union under Meghna upazila.
Abdul Mojid, officer-in-charge (OC) of Meghna Police Station, confirmed the development.
Meanwhile, voting at Manikar Char centre was suspended for an hour following a clash between the supporters of two candidates.
The incident left two people injured, Upazila Election Officer Md Zahid Hossain confirmed.
MANIKGANJ
Police arrested 17 supporters of Mizanur Rahman Mithu, an independent candidate, for attempting to occupy Jamsha High School centre in Jamshah Union Parishad under Singair upazila.
Golam Azad Khan, superintendent of police in Manikganj, confirmed the development and said that voting activity however is normal at the centre.
In Singair upazila, voting has begun in 11 union parishads. Voting began at 8am in the presence of representatives from various candidates. The voter turnout is high, reports our Manikganj correspondent.
KHULNA
A total of 5,37,668 voters are expected to cast their votes at 261 polling centres of 25 union parishads in four upazilas under Khulna.
One hundred and fourteen candidates are contesting for the chairmen posts at 14 unions in Dumuria upazila, three in Batiaghata upazila, four in Phultala upazila and four in Rupsha upazila, according to the Khulna District Election Office.
M Mazharul Islam, senior election officer of Khulna district, said three platoons of Rab, three of BGB, 5-6 police officers, and 17 Ansar members are on duty at each centre.
BRAHMANBARIA
Voting is on at 13 union parishads in Nasirnagar upazila.
Returning Officer and District Election Officer, Md Zillur Rahman, said that voting is taking place at 631 booths in 125 centres of 117 wards in this upazila.
Under the leadership of 13 executive magistrates, 816 police officers, five platoons of BGB, three platoons of Rab, and 2,125 Ansar members have been deployed at different polling centres.
PABNA
Voting has begun in 10 union parishads in Pabna's Sujanagar upazila.
A total of 484 candidates including 36 chairman candidates are contesting here, reports our Pabna correspondent quoting upazila election office.
Sujanagar upazila Election Officer, Fatema Khatun, said that a total of 23,498 voters will vote at 93 voting centres. Voting has begun peacefully, tight security measures are in place, she said.
Md Robiul Islam, Sujanagar circle's senior assistant police superintendent, said that law enforcers are present in all polling centres to ensure safe voting.
Voting began peacefully in Raiganj and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas.
BAGERHAT
Voting in Bagerhat's five union parishad elections began peacefully. At 8am, long lines of men and women were seen at the Patilakhali centre of Gotapara union.
Elections are being held in Bagerhat's five UPs and three upazilas. The unions are Bagerhat Sadar upazila's Jatrapur, Gotapara, and Satgumbuj, Fakirhat upazila's Mulghar, and Mollahat upazila's Gangni, reports our Bagerhat correspondent.
Bagerhat district Election Officer, Faraji Benazir Ahmed, said, "We have started the election peacefully. Hopefully, we will be able to complete the voting process without any problems."
JHENAIDAH
According to the Jhenaidah district election office, a total of 43 candidates are running for the post of chairman in 12 unions of Jhenaidah's Maheshpur upazila, reports our Jhenaidah correspondent.
Md Mamunul Karim, Maheshpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said that the environment in the centres is peaceful, and that he hopes for a successful election.
Besides, voting is progressing peacefully at different centres in Pirojpur, Chapainawabganj, and Patuakhali.