Voting in the second phase of Upazila council polls have ended amid low turnout, allegations of irregularities and isolated incidents of violence.

Earlier on Monday (Mar 18) voting opened at 8am and continued till 4pm at 116 Upazila councils across the country.

Low Turnout

Voter turnout was low in most of the polling centres in the first few hours after polls opened at 8am. In some places, voter started to head for the polling stations as the day progressed. Howeber, voter turnout was high in the three hill track districts – Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari.

In Buds Residential Model School and College centre in Moulvibazar’s Srimangal, merely 76 votes were cast in the first two hours, Presiding Officer Noman Siddiqui said.

Assistant Presiding Officer Bikash Chandra Saha said, “Voters have lost their interest.”

Chattagram’s Kanchannagar Rustomia Monirul Islam Dakhil Madrasa polling centre Presiding Officer Alamgir Kabi said, “This was women voters-exclusive centre. The first voter came three and a half hours after polls began.”

Boycott

Alleging irregularities and vote rigging, a dozen candidates in Rangamati boycotted the upazila election. Five among the 12 candidates, were running for chairman, while the other seven were vying for the vice chairman post in Rangamati’s Baghaichari, Naniarchar and Kaukhali Upazila.

Following their announcement of boycott they also wrote to the district’s returning officer and additional deputy commissioner calling for the polls to be scrapped.

In Khagrachhari’s Mahalchari Upazila Awami League supported candidate Kazai Marma, independent aspirants Humayun Kabir and Kakoli Khisha boycotted the polls.

Violence

In Chattagram’s Fatikchari, chairman candidate Hossain Md Abu Taiyab’s supporters claimed that he was attacked around 12:30pm when two of his supporters were injured.

In Khagrachhari’s Dighinala Upazila, allegations surfaced that the ruling party candidate Md Abul Kashem’s supported tried to take control of a polling centre.

However, their attempt was thwarted by the police.

In Lakhkhichhari Upazila members of local organization UPDF allegedly abducted two agent of the Awami League candidate. Later, locals intervened to defused the situation and the two men were set free.  

Taking over polling stations and Rigging

In Pabnam a mobile court sentenced a female Union Parshad member to five days imprisonment on charges of exerting influence in a polling centre.

In Sylhet’s Jaintapur, police arrested six while they were casting false votes, said Presiding Officer Subrata Debnath.

They were caught red handed, he said.

The first phase of the Upazila Council polls 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.