3rd phase municipality polls ends amid boycotts, violence

The third phase of election to 62 municipalities has ended amid reports of sporadic violence, boycotts and occupancy of polling centres by ruling party men across the country. 

The voting started at 8 am and continued until 4pm without any break.

In Lakshmipur, three persons sustained bullet injuries, while 27 received other injuries during violence in Ramganj municipality elections. The victims include six police personnel.

Violent incidents took place in West Kazirkhil Government Primary School, Sonapur, Ratanpur, Awkharkhir, Tamta, Shripur, Abhirampur, and Angerpara polling centres. 

Violence that originated at West Kazirkhil Government Primary School centered around the occupation of the centre by rival councilor candidates, spread to the Balua Chaumahani area, one kilometer outside the center.

Locals said supporters of Anower Hossain, who is competing in the municipal polls under ostrich symbol, came under fire and was beaten by the supporters of his rival Mamunur Rashid, as they went to occupy West Kazirkhil Government Primary School Center. 

Three men - Alamgir, Kamal Hossain and Zamshed, sustained bullet injuries.
 
Under the leadership of Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anwar Hossain, members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and police brought the situation under control. However, voting was hampered for some time due to the violence. 

Later members of law enforcement agencies fired empty shots and applied random batons to  disperse the attackers. However, nothing was lost at the center, said DIG Anower Hossain. 

Shibganj Municipality Polls

BNP-backed mayoral candidate Matiar Rahman Matin boycotted elections, alleging massive irregularities in Shibganj municipality polls under Bogura district.

He made the announcement at a press conference at Shibganj Upazila BNP office around 12pm.  

Matin alleged that men of the ruling party forcibly evicted the agents of BNP nominated candidates from the polling centres. Ballot papers of six polling stations were finished by 11am before the voters cast their votes. 

They took control of all polling centres, claimed Matin.

He further alleged that the administration remained silent in spite of repeated objections over irregularities.  They took no steps regarding their allegations. 

"There were merely any presence of magistrates in the polling centres during the voting. All in all, the Awami League has robbed the vote here. That's why I am boycotting the polls," said Matin.

However, Shibganj Police Station's Officer-in-Charge SM Badiuzzaman claimed that allegations of center occupation or irregularities were not true. 

"Fair elections were held in 11 polling centers of the municipality. There were no incidents of centre occupation or fake voting. 

Meanwhile, Assistant Returning Officer Anisur Rahman said he heard of election boycotts by BNP-backed candidates. 

"But there was no incident of occupation of the polling centres. And the issue of running out of ballot papers is baseless. The vote was fair."

Kolaroa Municipality Polls

In Satkhira's Kolaroa municipality polls, BNP-backed candidate Sheikh Sharifuzzaman alleged that their agents were driven out from polling centres. 

Later, he boycotted election bringing allegation of vote fraudulence. 

Nalchity Municipality Polls

In Jhalakathi, BNP nominated candidate Mujibur Rahman alleged that their agents were driven out of polling centres and vote rigging took place in Nalchity municipality election. 

Later in a press conference, he declared to boycott the election around 12 pm.  

On the same ground, Masud Khan, independent candidate (Awami League rebel) and former mayor of Nalchity municipality, also boycotted the election around 12:30pm.  

Feni Municipality Polls

In Feni, incidents of sporadic violence and cocktail blast took place during the voting in Feni municipality election at a polling centre in Rampur at noon. 

However, District Election Officer Md Nasir Uddin Patwari claimed that they have arranged all measures to hold the election peacefully. He is not aware of any violent incident in the polling centres, the official added. 

Bhuapur Municipality Polls

In Tangail, supporters of councilor candidate Anwar Hossain came under attack while voting was going on in ward no-1 of Bhuapur municipality in Tangail. 

Ten people including a woman were injured in the incident that took place at the Kutubpur Government Primary School polling centre. 

Locals alleged that supporters of Anwar started casting fake votes which was protested by the supporters of another councilor candidate Zahidul Islam.

At one stage, Jahidul's agents and supporters were forced to leave the center and came under attack outside the centre.

The wrists and fingers of two persons were cut off during the attack. Later, members of law enforcement agencies brought the situation under control.

Following the incident, voting was temporarily suspended at the center and  the situation became normal around one hour later, said Shahinul Islam, presiding officer in charge of ward no-1.

62 Municipalities

The 62 municipalities are- Ulipur in Kurigram district, Jaldhaka in Nilphamari, Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, Hakimpur in Dinajpur, Rohanpur in Chapainawabganj, Mundumala and Keshorhat in Rajshahi, Shibganj, Nandigram, Dhanut, Gabtoli and Kahalu in Bogura, Naogaon and Dhamoirhat in Naogaon, Singra in Natore and Pabna.

The municipalities also include Darshana in Chuadanga, Kotchadpur and Harinakundu in Jhenaidah, Manirampur in Jashore, Paikgacha in Khulna, Morelganj in Bagerhat, Kalaroa in Satkhira, Barguna and Patharghata in Barguna, Borhanuddin and Daulatkhan in Bhola Nalchity in Jhalokathi, Swarupkathi in Pirojpur, Gournadi and Mehendiganj in Barishal. 

The other municipalities include Naria, Bhedarganj and Jajira in Shariatpur, Tungipara in Gopalganj, Kalia and Narail in Narail, Pangsha in Rajbari, Munshiganj, Madhupur, Tangail, Bhuapur, Sakhipur and Mirzapur in Tangail, Iswarganj, Bhaluka, Gouripur and  Nakla and Nalitabari in Sherpur, Sarishabari in Jamalpur, Durgapur in Netrakona and Katiadi in Kishoreganj.

The rest municipalities are Golapganj and Jakiganj in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Hajiganj in Chandpur, Barua, Chauddagram and  Feni, Hatia and Chowmuhani in Noakhali and Ramganj in Lakhmipur.