Amid the reports of sporadic incidents during the second phase of the upazila council polls, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed has said that the polls were held in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
“Voting, however, were suspended at seven polling stations on different allegation,” Ahmed told the media after a post-poll briefing in EC office in Dhaka on Monday (Mar 18).
On the voter turnout, Ahmed said, “It varies in proportion to the polls area.
“Voter turnout was 43 percent in the first phase of upazila polls. Hopefully, it will rise this time,” he said.
Voting in the second phase of Upazila council polls ended amid low turnout, allegations of irregularities and isolated incidents of violence.
In a post-polls violence, six people, including a polling officer, were shot dead in Rangamati’s Baghaichari Upazia after the vehicle carrying them came under attack on Monday evening.
Voting opened at 8am and continued till 4pm at 116 Upazila councils across the country.
Nearly 17.9 million voters were expected to cast their franchise in 7,039 polling centres in 116 upazilas where over 1,300 aspirants, including 377 for chairman, 539 for vice-chairman and 394 for women vice-chairman posts, are contesting polls.
The first phase took place on Mar 10 in 78 upazilas, with ruling Awami League candidates reported victorious for most seats.
The third phase voting is scheduled on Mar 24 in 127 upazilas. The fourth and fifth phases of the polls are set to be held on Mar 31 and Jul 18 respectively.