Staff Reporter:
The first phase of 6th upazila parishad election was held yesterday in almost free, fair and peacefully in 139 upazilas across the country.
The voting was held at 10,399 centers of 139 upazilas out of the total 495 across the country.
Voting started at 8 am and continued till 4 pm.
The counting was going on immediately after the voting ends, correspondents reported.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal yesterday said the voter turnout in the first phase of the 6th upazila parishad polls is likely to be 30 to 40 percent.
“Voters turnout may be between 30 and 40 percent and vote casting rate may be low due to rain in the morning and most of the people were involved in paddy harvesting,” he told journalists here this after-noon following the first phase of the local government elections.
The CEC said, “The first phase of the election was held yesterday in 139 upazilas across the country…As per the information gathered here, the polls were held in a free, fair and peaceful manner despite some sporadic incidents.”
Referring to the security aspects, he said, “Violation of electrical rules was reported from some places when a number of people were sustained injuries during clashes between rival groups in few centres.”
Polling was suspended in two centers following report of violence, he said adding that law enforcement agencies and local administration were remained vigilant to maintain law and order in and around the polling centers.
According to election control room, Kazi Habibul Awal said as many as 34 untoward incidents were reported, in which 25 people got injured. Police arrested a total of 37 people for their involvement in the incidents.
