Cumilla City Corporation by-polls: Gunfire near polling centre leaves 3 injured

Two supporters of the horse symbol and a supporter of the bus symbol were allegedly shot and injured near a polling station in Cumilla during the by-polls today (9 March). 

The incident took place around 10am in the morning, and all three injured are currently undergoing treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. 

"I was standing near the polling centre. Sujon, a supporter of the bus symbol and a leader of Chhatra League, shot me and Tuhin right in front of the police," said Jahir, one of the horse supporters who was injured.

However, the Chhatra League leader Sujon, undergoing treatment at the same hospital, claimed the horse symbol supporters shot him. 

Nizam Uddin Kaiser, the horse symbol candidate, said, "Supporters of the bus symbol's candidate, Tahsin Bahar Suchona, are not letting our supporters vote. They have attacked my supporters in many places.

"My supporters were shot at the Munshi M Ali High School centre and are now admitted to the hospital," he added.

When asked about the incident, Hasan Ahmed Kamrul, the presiding officer, said, "The incident took place outside the boundary of the polling station. I have informed the magistrate about the matter."

Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar (south) police station, said, "I have heard about the shooting. Security has been tightened at the scene."

Voter turnout moves up as day progresses

Even though the voting started in the morning with lower voter turnout and allegations of irregularities, the turnout increased as the day progressed. 

At the Kaptain Bazar Government Primary School polling centre in Cumilla, it was observed that by 12pm, 40% of the votes had been cast.

There are a total of 3,056 voters at this centre, all of whom are women.

"I voted. There were no trouble. I feel good about being able to vote," said Asma Akter, a voter, 

Another voter, Halima Begum, said, "The voting is peaceful. The atmosphere is festive."

Dominance of bus supporters across Cumilla

Although fewer voters were seen queued up to practice their franchise at the centres in the morning, supporters of MP Bahar's daughter Tahsin Bahar Suchona's bus symbol were stationed at various corners of the city. 

Victoria College Chhatra League activists were spotted at Captain Bazar and Islamia Adarsha High School centres. They are supporters of MP Bahar. 

Similar scenes were observed at Bagichagaon Government Primary School, Bhooter Goli, Ashoktala, and Cumilla High School centres.

A visit to Riyaz Uddin Government Primary School centre of the city at 8am in the morning showed 30 police and Ansar members guarding the centre. A scuffle broke out in front of the centre just before the start of the polling, requiring additional police presence. 

Five voters arrived at the centre by 8am. Shortly after, a group of youths wearing badges of the bus symbol entered the centre, claiming to be voters. 

Local Chhatra League activists were seen blocking various points near Chowdhurypara. 

"There's no voting environment here!" a law enforcement member was heard saying.

Other candidates allege irregularities

"In wards 5, 6, and 7, my voters and agents are not being allowed to enter," Monirul Haque Sakku, the candidate for the table clock symbol, said.

Nizam Uddin Kaiser, the horse symbol candidate, said, "In wards 3, 5, and 7, people of the bus symbol are forcing all my voters and agents out."

Elephant symbol's candidate Noor-Ur Rahman Mahmud Tanim said, "At the Victoria Collegiate centre, signatures were taken on the result sheet right after the voting started."

Returning Officer Forhad Hossen said, "We received complaints from one centre and took necessary action. We are also taking steps to prevent gatherings at various points of the city."

At a glance: Cumilla by-polls

Cumilla City Corporation includes 27 wards and 105 centres in two upazilas - Adarsha Sadar and Sadar Dakshin. 

Four candidates are competing in this by-polls: former mayor Monirul Haque Sakku with the table clock symbol, former president of Cumilla City BNP's volunteer wing Nizam Uddin Kaiser with the horse symbol, organisational secretary of Cumilla city Awami League (AL) Tahsin Bahar with the bus symbol, and advisor to Cumilla city AL Noor-Ur Rahman Mahmud Tanim with the elephant symbol.

According to the District Returning Officer's office, there are 242,458 voters in Cumilla City Corporation. 118,282 of them are men, 124,278 are women. and two are hijra voters. 

The election is currently being conducted in 640 polling booths, with 105 presiding officers, 640 assistant presiding officers, and 1,280 polling agents. 

Nine judicial magistrates, one per three wards, and 27 executive magistrates are overseeing the electoral code of conduct.

For security, 450 members of the BGB, 939 members of RAB, 1,339 police members, and nine striking forces are deployed in 105 centres. 

Each centre is under the constant surveillance of five police members, with two teams from two police stations serving as reserve forces.

In the previous 2022 Cumilla City Corporation by-polls, Arfanul Haque Rifat was elected mayor with the boat symbol. 

He passed away on 13 December, 2023.