Staff Reporter:
The third phase of the sixth upazila parishad elections concluded on Wednesday with lower voter turnout than the previous two phases and sporadic incidents of violence.
Clashes, code of conduct violations, electronic voting machine malfunctions, and arrests of presiding officers were reported in isolated incidents. Agents at several centres were also jailed for alleged irregularities.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal reported a 35% voter turnout in Wednesday’s polls to 87 upazilas. He said that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner, with active law enforcement.
“A very limited number of adverse incidents occurred. A total of 30 people were arrested for attempting to rig the vote, with two sentenced to prison. Six people were injured in clashes, and one presiding officer died after falling ill,” he said.
In comparison, voter turnout was 36% in the first phase and 38% in the second phase. Previous Upazila Parishad elections saw higher turnouts: 41% in 2019, 61% in 2014, and 67% in 2009.
Incidents of ballot paper snatching were reported at a polling centre in Patiya, Chattogram, leading to the postponement of elections at that centre. A presiding officer in Feni Sadar was
detained due to irregularities. In Sadarpur, Faridpur, a person was sentenced to six months in jail for casting fake votes, and a man was arrested in Tarail upazila, Kishoreganj, for providing a proxy to a polling officer. Allegations of fake votes were also raised in Companiganj in Noakhali.
A chase and counter-chase occurred between activists of two candidates in Paba and Mohanpur upazila in Rajshahi. An assistant presiding officer died after falling ill while on duty in Habiganj Sadar upazila.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has decided to hold elections in 20 upazilas on 9 June, which were postponed from the third phase due to Cyclone Remal.
The 20 upazilas are Sarankhola, Morrelganj, and Mongla in Bagerhat district; Koyra, Paikgachha, and Dumuria in Khulna district; Gournadi and Agailjhara in Barishal; Patuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj, and Dumki in Patuakhali; Mathbaria in Pirojpur; Lalmohan and Tazumuddin in Bhola; Rajapur and Kathalia in Jhalakathi; Bamna in Barguna; Patharghata; Baghaichari in Rangamati; and Khaliajuri upazila in Netrokona.
