Violence has erupted in every phase of the Union Parishad (UP) elections. The fourth round of elections held on Sunday was not without violence. Three people were shot dead in Thakurgaon, Patuakhali and Sylhet on the same day. There have also been incidents of polling station grabbing, ballot snatching, clashes, shootings and cocktail explosions in some places.
Earlier, in the second and third rounds, 6 and 7 people were killed in violence on election day, respectively. And yesterday, 52 people were injured in election clashes in different places. So far, 60 people have been killed in electoral clashes across the country.
After the voting, Election Commission Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker told a news briefing at the Election Building in Agargaon yesterday that in the fourth phase, the election was held in a joyous atmosphere in 638 UPs. They expect the turnout to be more than 80 percent. He said voting was closed at 15 polling stations as presiding officers were out of control. During the voting, 29 people were injured in the chase of supporters of the candidates. Law enforcement has arrested 63 people in these incidents.
Supporters of a defeated UP member candidate in Rajagaon UP of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila attacked the police following the announcement of election results. A man named Hamidur Rahman (65) was killed when police opened fire in self-defense. The incident took place at South Asannagar Government Primary School around 7.30 pm yesterday.
One person was shot dead during a clash between supporters of two member candidates demanding recount of votes in Charmontaj UP election in Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali. The incident took place at Nayarchar Government Primary School in Ward 7 of the union around 7.30 pm yesterday. Abdul Khaleq (40) member candidate killed. Supporter of Ziaur Rahman (Vangari).
A man named Abdus Salam (45) was shot dead in the violence surrounding the Fulbari UP election in Sylhet’s Golapganj upazila. The incident took place last night. According to police and local sources, supporters of a defeated chairman candidate blocked the Sylhet-Zakiganj road in Baitikar area around 8pm. When the police wanted to calm down the situation, the blockaders attacked the police. Police fired several shots to bring the situation under control. At least 10 people, including police, were injured in the clash. The injured were taken to MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet. At that time the doctors declared Abdus Salam dead.
Attempts have been made to occupy three centers in two UPs in Abhaynagar upazila of Jessore. To bring the situation under control, police fired blank shots, beat sticks and fired tear gas shells. One police officer, two chairman candidates, an assistant presiding officer and a polling officer were injured. At this time, voting is closed in four centers.
At least 20 people have been injured in sporadic clashes between supporters of UP member candidates at various centers in Sonagazi, Feni. Among them 12 people including children were shot.
At least 10 people were injured in a clash between supporters of two UP member candidates at Char Sarishabari High School in Sarishabari, Jamalpur. Five people were injured in a clash between supporters of two chairman candidates at Khagaura UP in Habiganj’s Baniachang upazila.
Two brothers, supporters of independent candidate Islam Uddin, were injured when their opponents were hit by a sharp weapon during the polling in Alukdia UP of Chuadanga Sadar Upazila. The attack took place at Joraghata Government Primary School around 12 noon yesterday. The injured were identified as Raju Ahmed, 26, and Russell Ahmed, 22, sons of Abdus Sattar of Joraghata Huchukpara.
