Khulna city election ends amid allegations of rigging, vandalism

The Khulna city polls came to an end on Tuesday amid allegations of rigging and vandalism.

Officials count ballot papers after voting at Khulna City Corporation on Tuesday. Photo: Mostafigur Rahman Officials count ballot papers after voting at Khulna City Corporation on Tuesday. Photo: Mostafigur Rahman

Voting was postponed at three polling stations amid allegations of irregularities, according to Returning Officer Yunus Ali.

The allegations of casting fake votes by activists of the ruling Awami League sparked vandalism in the city area.

The polls, which began at 8am, ended at 4pm without a break.

Khulna residents exercised their voting rights at 289 centres to elect the KCC mayor for five years.

Supporters of the BNP candidate have alleged that the ruling party men have stuffed the ballot boxes with fake votes.

Kakoli Khan, a BNP polling agent, said, “The voting was going on peacefully since morning. Some Awami League leaders and supporters arrived suddenly, stamped ballot papers, stuffed the boxes with fake votes and left the centre.”   

BNP supporters protested vote-rigging and ransacked some electoral camps outside the polling centre.

There are 31 wards for general councillors and 10 reserved for women in Khulna city. Five candidates contested for the mayoral post, 148 for general councillors and 39 for reserved councillors.

Electronic voting machines were used at two polling stations where the number of voters was about 3,000.