Violence, irregularities prompts suspension of polling at five centres

Voting at five polling centres— four in Chandpur, another in Brahmanbarhia— has been suspended following reports of violence and irregularities like ballot snatching.

Chandpur and Brahmanbarhia Correspondentsbdnews24.com
Published : 23 April 2016, 07:40 AM
Updated : 23 April 2016, 10:31 AM

Elections to 614 Union Parishads (UP) in 48 districts started at 8am on Saturday in the third phase of the six-phase polls.

Clashes between Awami League and BNP supporters in the southern district of Chandpur led authorities to suspend voting at three centres, said Chandpur Election Officer Md Ataur Rahman.

At least 25 people, including polls officials and security personnel have been injured in clashes over alleged vote fraud.

Meanwhile, in Brahmanbarhia’s Sarhail Upazila supporters of ruling Awami League candidate at a centre snatched ballot papers at the AC Academy polling station in Chunta Union.

Upazila Executive Officer Jannatul Ferdous said that an hour after the polls started,  hundreds of supporters of the Awami League chairman candidate barged into the centre and started stamping ballots.

“They attacked local journalists who were taking pictures, after which voting was halted,” she said.