At least six people were killed and scores injured as the second phase of the union parishad (UP) elections ended amid intermittent violence and reported irregularities.
Starting from 8am in the morning the voting continued till 4pm Thursday (November 11).
Incidents of violence and deaths were reported in multiple areas of the country, including Narsingdi, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla and Chattogram.
In Narsingdi, three people have been killed and 10 others injured in a shootout between supporters of two chairman asspirants.
The incident occurred during clashes between supporters of an Awami League (AL) nominee and an AL's rebel candidate in Bashgari union, a remote char area in Raipura upazila.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (Raipura Circle) Satyajit Kumar confirmed the matter.
Meanwhile, local Returning Officer Mezbah Uddin said: “Despite the clashes, the polling is moving forward uninterruptedly. Although the situation is currently under control, from time to time police are having to step in to stop opposition supporters from getting into conflicts.”
In Cox’s Bazar, a clash between supporters of two member candidates at a polling stations left one person dead, said the local RAB-15.
The victim, Aktharuzzaman, is the brother of a member candidate contesting the elections to the Khuruskul union council in Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila.
In Cumilla, one person died and 10 others sustained injuries in a clash among the supporters of two rival candidates and the police in Meghna upazila’s Manikarchar union.
Police said, the supporters of Awami League’s rebel candidate Harun-or-Rashid attacked the centre around noon after announcing boycott of the polls from a mosque.
Earlier on the day, clashes erupted at Ramprasaderchar Government Primary School polling centre at the same upazila’s Chaliabhanga union.
In Satkhira, separate incidents of clashes were reported between the supporters and activists of the rival candidates in Baikari Union of Sadar upazila, which left at least 10 people injured, including the chairman candidate nominated by the ruling Awami League. 00
In Chattogram, a businessman was killed and several people were injured at Lelang union of Fatikchhari over the UP polls.
Rabiul Islam, officer-in-charge of Fatikchhari police station, said the clash broke out between the supporters of two member candidates in Gopalghata Anandabazar area during the voting, leaving Md Shafi dead.
In Gopalganj, voting to Kashiani union has been suspended on allegations of polling centre occupation and ballot stuffing by Awami League-backed candidate BM Harun-ur-Rashid.
Two policemen were reportedly attacked when they tried to enforce law and order at Ratail union parishad polling centre, said Presiding Officer Selim Sarder.
He said: “Harun and his large number of supporters occupied the polling centre around 12 noon and began stuffing ballots. At that time police came under attack.”
Subsequently, voting was suspended, he added.
Polling began in 835 of 848 UPs at 8am on Thursday and continued till 4pm.
A total of 81 chairman candidates have already been elected unopposed. Similarly, all contestants -- for chairman and member posts, and reserved seats -- in five UPs were elected uncontested.
