Dhaka, Chittagong city elections end amid boycotts, allegations of rigging

Votes for Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations have come to an end amidst widespread allegations of rigging, sporadic clashes and a boycott by the BNP-backed candidates.

The eight-hour window for six million city residents to elect their representatives closed at 4pm on Tuesday.

Election Commission Secretary Md Sirajul Islam said, “Voting is over. However, we would be allowing those who reached the centres by 4pm to cast their votes.

The votes would be counted at the centres and presiding officers would be sending the results to the offices of returning officers. A primary result would be declared from there after tabulation.

The returning officer would be declaring the primary results from Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka North, Mahanagar Natyamancha in Dhaka South and MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong.

Despite allegations of widespread rigging and disruptions, the EC secretary said that polls were held properly. “The Commission did not receive complaints. If some come in, the commission will look at them.”

He added that the EC was forced to stop voting at three centres in Dhaka. They are located in Bongshal’s Suritola Primary School, Jurain Ashraf Master Ideal School and in Khilgaon.

Polls in Dhaka North, South and Chittagong pitted the two big political parties – Awami League and BNP – against each other again.

But the BNP quit the race alleging widespread rigging. 

Their Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed announced the decision in a media conference at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters some four hours into the balloting.

“What is taking place cannot be called voting,” he said. “We reject this voter-less election which was a travesty of democracy.”

He was accompanied by Tabith Awal, their endorsed mayor runner for Dhaka North, and Afroza Abbas, wife of Mirza Abbas, the BNP-backed mayor aspirant for Dhaka South.

Earlier, the Chittagong city BNP-backed candidate, M Manjur Alam, also stood down.

However, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul Alam Hanif denied outright that there were any disruptions and said BNP pulled out fearing defeat.

“Polls are being held peacefully. BNP created a dramatic situation and pulled out of the polls. They could not make any specific accusations or give facts about any irregularity.”

But voting at a polling station at Bongshal’s Suritola School in Dhaka South City Corporation was cancelled after it was attacked and damaged.

Awami League groups clashed at three centres in Lakshmibazar, Kafrul and Hazaribagh. But the polls continued.

bdnews24.com Correspondent Sajidul Haque found Narinda Govt Primary School voting centre’s Presiding Officer Obaidul Islam stamping ballots for AL-backed Dhaka South mayor runner Sayeed Khokon.

In Chittagong, bdnews24.com can confirm reports of at least four centres being taken over by ruling party supporters.

Voters turned out in low numbers at the four Paharhtali centres -- BCIR Laboratory High School, Oli Ahmed Government Primary School, Fatayabad City Corporation Girls’ High School and Fateyabad College.

Crude hand bombs were exploded at the centres and bdnews24.com Correspondent Mitoon Chowdhury witnessed large-scale rigging for AL-backed mayor runner AJM Nasir Uddin.

Altogether 75,000 personnel of several law-enforcing agencies were deployed to maintain law and order in the three city corporations.

As many as 48 people contested for mayor and nearly 1,200 candidates vied for councillors, in general and reserved seats.

Dhaka North had 16 mayor runners in its first election after the DCC’s bifurcation in November 2011.

A total of 281 contested for general councillor positions in its 36 wards, while 89 were in the fray for the 12 wards reserved for women councillors.

Dhaka South with its 57 wards had 20 others contesting for mayor, 390 for general councillor and 97 for 19 wards reserved for women councillors.

In Chittagong, 12 candidates vied to become mayor, while 217 battled it out for general councillor posts in 41 wards and 62 for 14 wards reserved for women councillors.