Violence mars 4th phase of polling

Despite the Election Commission’s stern warning against violence, voting at 91 Upazilas in 43 districts has been marred by sporadic clashes, invasion of polling centres and snatching of ballot papers.

Earlier on Friday, the EC had asked the law enforcers to take effective measures against any act of violence and even ordered them to shoot at sight if any act of snatching ballot papers comes to their notice.

According to a preliminary estimate, polling was suspended at 18 centres of five Upazilas in four districts due to snatching of ballot papers and other acts of violence, said Election Commission officials.

Four people had died in the election-related violence – one at Munshiganj’s Gozaria, another at Brahmanbarhia’s Akhaura, the third at Jhalakathi’s Rajapur and the other at Comilla's Borurha.

According to bdnews.24.com correspondents, the number of voting centres where polling was halted is more than the EC’s preliminary estimate.

As in the last three phases of Upazila polls, BNP has complained that the ruling Awami League has resorted to violence, snatched ballot boxes and invaded polling centres during Sunday’s election.

“Police, RAB and local administration aided and abetted the ruling party activists in these acts,” alleged BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press briefing on Sunday.

Nine chairman candidates pulled out of the contest amid voting, alleging polling centres were invaded, fake votes were cast and their agents were thrown out of the centres in three Upazilas – one at Barisal, another at Bhola and the third at Jhalakathi.

Apart from them, three BNP-backed candidates also boycotted the election in Barisal’s Agailjhara Upazila.

The party has called a half day strike at Agailjhara on Monday, protesting unfair means in the election.

The centres where polling was suspended fall under Patuakhali’s Sadar Upazila, Munshiganj’s Gozaria, Comilla’s Borurha, Cox’s Bazar’s Kutubdia, Bhola’s Monpurha, Barisal’s Agailjhar, Jhalakathi’s Sadar, Chittagong’s Satkania and Jhenidah’s Harinakunda.

A total of 1186 persons contested for 273 posts in 91 Upazilas (each Upazila will elect a chairman, a general vice chairman and a woman vice chairman).

The fifth phase of the Upazila polls will be held at 74 Upazilas and the last and sixth at the remaining Upazilas will be held in May.