Incidents of ballot snatching, capturing of polling centres and various other irregularities marked the third phase of the Upazila Parishad polls held on Tuesday.
Voting to 87 upazilas, however, ended with a relatively low voter turnout and without reports of major violence.
Three aspirants, including two candidates for the post of chairman of Companiganj upazila, stayed off the race alleging the capturing of polling centres and partiality of the local administration.
Besides, ballot papers were allegedly stolen from a polling centre in Patia of Chattogram, a presiding officer was detained over irregularities in Feni Sadar Upazila, a person was detained in Tarail of Kishoreganj for trying to act as a ‘proxy’ to an election officer, and there were clashes between the supporters of two candidates in Paba and Mohanpur in Rajshahi.
Apart from those incidents, three aspirants, including two candidates for the post of chairman of Companiganj upazila, stayed off the race alleging the capturing of polling centres and bias of the local administration.
The two aspirants are Shahadat Hossain, a brother of the Awami League general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader, Mizanur Rahman Badal, general secretary of AL Upazila unit and Fatema Akhter, an aspirant for the post of female vice-chairman. The two candidates
alleged that AL Companiganj upazila unit president and Basurhat municipality mayor Abdul Quader Mirza along with his supporters captured polling centres and stamped ballots in favour of their candidate.
Quader Mirza is also another brother of the bridges minister and he extended his support to Golam Sharif Chowdhury Pipul.
Shahadat told reporters that Mayor Quader Mirza and his cohorts were allegedly stamping ballots.
“The Haturi Bahini (A team equipped with lethal weapons) injured my 20 activists while the police assisted them unethically. Boycotting the polls, I am demanding fresh elections,” he said.
Another candidate Badal said that the cohorts of Quader Mirza did not allow his agents to enter any centre.
“They created obstacles so that voters cannot turn into the polling centres. Such an election is not acceptable to the constituency of Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader,” he said, demanding cancellation of the polls.
Against the allegation, Mirza Mashrur Quader, son of Quader Mirza, ruled out the allegation saying that such a false allegation was raised to mar the polling atmosphere.
An individual was sentenced six-month imprisonment and Tk 10,000 as fine for stamping a ballot after taking it forcefully from a female voter.
The incident took place at North Sonapur Ahmmadia Model High School in Noakhali Sadar upazila.
Judicial magistrate Tania Islam awarded the punishment as one Fazlul Haque snatched the ballot from the woman and stamped on it.
Besides, the presiding officer of Chouganga Shaheed Smriti High School came under attack at Itna Upazila of Kishoreganj at about 12:30pm.
The attack was carried out to snatch ballots. Police opened 14 rounds bullet to bring the situation under control.
After the polls, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal told reporters that about 35 per cent voters exercised their rights of franchise in the third phase of the polls that were held in a peaceful manner.
“The information we have right now is that voters turnout was about 35 per cent. It will take some time to have the correct information,” he said.
Mentioning very few untoward incidents in the polls, the CEC said some 30 people were arrested in charge of various irregularities.
“Of them, two were awarded imprisonment. An assistant presiding officer was arrested, one presiding officer dies on duty after falling ill while six people were injured during a chase and counter chase,” he said.
Polls suspended in 20 UZs to be held June 9
Elections to 20 upazilas, which were suspended due to Cyclone Remal, will be held on June 9, the Election Commission announced on Wednesday.
Election Commissioner Jahangir Alam disclosed the date while talking to reporters at the EC Bhaban.
The 20 upazilas where voting will be held on June 9 are Sharankhola, Morelganj and Mongla of Bagerhat district; Koyra, Paikgachha and Dumuria in Khulna district; Gournadi and Agailjhara of Barishal; Mathbaria of Pirojpur; Lalmohan and Tazumuddin of Bhola; Rajapur and Kathalia of Jhalakathi; Bamna of Barguna, Patharghata and Baghaichari of Rangamati; and Sadar and Dumki of Patuakhali; and Mirzaganj and Khaliajhuri of Netrakona.
Initially, the EC was scheduled to hold elections in 112 upazilas in the third phase, but it suspended elections in 22 upazilas due to Cyclone Remal.
It also withheld elections in two upazilas due to High Court orders and deaths of candidate.
