UP polls: CEC sees improvement in final phase voting

The chief election commissioner (CEC) has claimed the final phase of union council polls have shown improvements despite reports of violent clashes and rigging.

Over a dozen political parties took part in the election, held along party lines for the first time, but the main contest was between the ruling Awami League and the BNP. 

CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad held a press conference at the Election Commission office after polling ended on Saturday.

He said the deaths of over a hundred people in violence since the announcement of the polls in February were ‘isolated incidents’. 

“We believe today’s election was better than the previous ones. It is an improvement on the way it was held in the first phase.

“But not just today, the election was good overall,” he added.

He said there was no reason for disappointment with the election held in six phases, as the EC had tried its best to hold it with “the best methods”.

“Setting aside the few instances of fighting and some sporadic events, polling was held peacefully.”

As many as 35 people died in the fifth stage and three more were killed at Feni, Mymensingh and Noakhali in the sixth phase.

Record amount of candidates, 217 from ruling Awami League and 3 independent candidates, were elected without contest this year.

The highest before that was in 1988, during HM Ershad’s dictatorial regime, with 100 rising uncontested to chairman positions and 80 deaths in violence.   

The elections in 2003, during BNP’s tenure, had led to 83 deaths and 34 winning without contest. 

“Deaths are unfortunate, we are shocked. The commission mourns these deaths,” said the CEC.

He said social change was necessary to stop fatal clashes over elections. “There needs to be a change in mentality which calls for victory at all cost. For that, the media has to play a leading role.”

On the last day, voting was stopped in 36 centres ‘where the situation went beyond the presiding officer’s control”, he said.

Fines worth Tk 1.2 million were slapped on at least 500 individuals for irregularities.

So far, the results from five phases put the Awami League in lead with ‘boat’ candidates winning in 2,267 unions while the BNP took 310. Independent candidates have won in 696 unions so far.