EC is 'pleased'

Election Commissioner Abdul Mobarak is happy that no one has been killed in violence during the fifth phase of the Upazila elections, which saw occupation of voting centres and stamping-off ballots in several areas.

After voting ended on Monday, Mobarak, who is supervising the polls in absence of the Chief Election Commissioner, told reporters, “Many thanks to Allah that no one was killed. It would have been better if no centres were closed.”

File Photo

The Election Commission, however, acknowledged a ‘little trouble’ during the balloting while the BNP alleged that ‘massive rigging’ took place after many polling centres were occupied.

As many as 73 Upazilas in 34 districts went to vote from 8am to 4pm on Monday.

Mobarak claimed the polls were held in a free and fair manner. “But it would have been great if no trouble had taken place,” he added.

“Polls for which gazettes were published have been held fairly. If anyone is not happy with the results, they can move the election tribunal. If there is a mistake it will be corrected because the EC’s work is not final.”

The EC said votes at 19 centres at five Upazilas – Feni’s Chhagolnaiya, Tangail’s Ghatail, Barguna’s Amtoli, Narayanganj’s Sonargaon and Narsinghdi Sadar - were countermanded due to untoward situation.

Irregularities, occupation of centres and rigging took place at these centres.

The EC has been attributing the violence that marked the local government body election so far, to the stubborn desire of the political parties to win.

Abdul Mobarak again urged the parties to first change the law if they wanted to join partisan polls.