Clash between AL, Islami Andolon supporters leave several injured

Several supporters of mayoral candidates backed by Awami League (AL) and Islami Andolon Bangladesh were injured in a clash over entering a polling center, as the Barishal City Corporation election is underway today (June 12, 2023).

Islami Andolon candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, who is contesting the election with the ‘hand fan’ symbol, alleged that several of his supporters as well as he were injured in an attack by AL men when they were about to enter the Kawnia Secondary Girls School center.

He said voters and his agents were forced to leave the Kawnia centre and Manik Miah center.

“Activists of the AL mayoral candidate barred me from entering the Kawnia center when I tried to lodge a complaint with the presiding officer,” the Islami Andolon candidate told UNB Barishal correspondent.

“I, along with several of my supporters, was injured in the attack,” he said.

Denying the allegation made by the Islami Andolon candidate and supporters, AL activist Biddyut said they only told them that they "should not enter the polling center with such a big crowd."

“Rather they (Islami Andolon activists) carried out an attack on us with knives, leaving several men injured,” he said.

Returning Officer Humayun Kabir said they were aware of "chaos" over entering a polling center.

Terming it as a "sporadic incident," he said they are looking into the matter.

Voting in the BCC election began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines are being used at all centers to take votes.

Seven candidates are competing for the mayoral post in the Barishal city polls.

Besides, 119 candidates are in the race for the post of general councilor and 42 candidates for the reserved councilor post.

A total of 276,298 voters will be able to cast their votes in 126 polling stations under 30 wards. Of the centers, 106 are considered “vulnerable”.

Ten platoons of the BGB remain deployed in the BCC election along with 4,500 members of the law enforcing agencies.