Violence shuts polling centre as Khulna city goes to election

Authorities have suspended voting at one centre in the Khulna City Corporation election over the allegations of rigging.

Presiding Officer Yunus Ali halted the voting at Iqbal Nagar Girls High School under Ward No. 24 in a midday decision, hours after the voting began at 8am.

The allegations of casting fake votes by activists of the ruling Awami league sparked violence in the area.

At least five BNP polling camps have reportedly been vandalised. The voting will continue until 4pm.

Khulna residents were exercising their voting rights at 289 polling centres to elect the KCC mayor for the next five years.

At around 10am, Nurul Islam, who queued for casting his vote at the school, told bdnews24.com: “We are told that there are no ballot papers. We have been waiting for an hour. Let’s see how much time they take.”

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

Presiding Officer Khalilur Rahman said, “It’s taking time to distribute the ballot papers.”

Assistant Presiding Officer Nurul Islam told bdnews24.com around 11am: “I have no ballot papers. I’m waiting for ballot papers from the presiding officer.”  

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

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