Polling stopped in one Comilla centre after crude bomb explosion

Voting has been stopped in one of the Comilla City Corporation’s 103 polling centres after crude bombs exploded outside it.

2,772 voters are registered at the polling centre in the city’s Ward – 21. According to Election Commission Secretary Mohammad Abdullah, almost 900 votes had been cast at the centre before 12pm.

“Voting was stopped as the situation got  out of the control. The votes cast at the centre will be cancelled and will not be counted.”

Three crude bombs were lobbed at the polling centre around 11:30 am. According to election officials this led to a clash between supporters of the different candidates and some attempted to enter the centre and stuff ballots into the boxes.

“Any reports of wrongdoing or illegal activity will lead to the closure of polling centres. The commission is firm on this point.”

Concerns were raised on Wednesday when armed forces began a raid on a militant den in the election area. The EC had, however, urged all voters to cast their votes without fear.

“The fears of voters have been allayed,” the EC secretary said. “We have provided good security. The commission is observing the situation. We hope voting will continue uninterrupted.”

The polling centres, which opened at 8 am, are to remain open until 4 pm.