Violence mars UP polls

• Several dead, many injured 

• EC MahbubTalukder expresses discontent over irregularities 

The fifth phase polls to 708 union parishads (UP) across the country were held Wednesday amid sporadic reports of irregularities, violence and deaths of at least three people. Several others were also injured in election-related violence across the country. The voting started at 8am and continued till 4pm without any break today (5 January). 

A total of 36,457 candidates are vying for different positions in the fifth phase election taking place in 95 upazilas under 48 districts, according to the Election Commission (EC). Of the aspirants, 3,274 are for chairman, 25,233 for general member, and 7,950 for reserved woman member posts. 

The body of a Union Parishad is formed with an elected chairman, nine members, and three woman members from reserved seats. The commission says 193 candidates have already been elected unopposed, while 52 of them are chairmen, 32 reserved woman members, and 109 general members. 

In Chattogram, a man named Omkar Dutta, 35, was killed in the election-related violence in Chatari UP. The incident took place in the union's Ward No. 6 at around 1pm on Wednesday, confirmed AnowaraUpazilaNirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Jobayer Ahmed. He said, "Omkar Dutta got injured when a clash broke out between the supporters of two member candidates participating in the Chatari UP polls. "He was rushed to the Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared him dead." 

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Anwara police station SM Didarul Islam Sikder said, "We have deployed additional force in the area after receiving information about the clash. Efforts are underway to bring the situation under control." 

Meanwhile, several journalists were injured, vehicles were vandalised when supporters of two chairman candidates locked horns in Karoldenga UP under the district's Boalkhaliupazila. 

According to locals, the incident took place around 10am at the AhalaAsadia Government Primary School polling centre as supporters of Awami League candidate Abul Mansur and his opponent Abdul Mannan, pineapple symbol, clashed. 

Abdullah Al Harun Ripon, 32, general secretary of Karoldenga UP Awami League, was critically injured in the altercation. He has been transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for advanced treatment. 

Besides, police picked up 44 BNP leaders and activists after they clashed with the law enforcers in Chattogram. Meanwhile, the BNP has claimed that at least 10 of their activists were injured in the clash. The clashes took place in Jamalkhan and Chittagong Press Club areas of the port city around 3pm. 

In Bogura, a young man was stabbed to death with a sharp weapon during a clash between the activists and supporters of two UP member candidates in Gabtaliupazila. The deceased was identified as Zakir Hossain, son of late Loya Miah of Rameshwarpur village under Gabtaliupazila. Gabtali Model Police Station OC Mohammad Zia Latiful Islam confirmed the information. 

In Gaibandha, a member candidate's supporter was hacked to death during a clash with rival candidate at Adharsha College polling centre in Saghataupazila. The deceased is Abu Taher, 40, son of Omar Ali of Mamudpur village under Jumarbari union. Saghata UNO SardarMostafaShahin confirmed the death to The Business Standard. However, Saghata Police Station OC Motiur Rahman said, "We have heard about the clash but we are yet to get any information on the death." 

In Brahmanbaria, at least 10 people were injured when supporters of two member candidates clashed at a polling centre in Basudeb UP. The incident took place around 11:30am at the Dotaisar Government Primary School voting centre. Law enforcers have detained both the candidates – Babul Mia and ShaheenBhuiyan – in connection with the clash. "The situation in the area is now normal," Executive Magistrate Mosharraf Hossain, in charge of the concerned polling centre, said. In Cumilla, an Awami League leader has been jailed for 15 days for entering a polling centre with cash money, election documents, and an unlicensed private car. The person who has been handed down the punishment is Awami League's Lalmaiupazila unit Office Secretary KaziMehediHasan, confirmed Executive Magistrate MoushumiAkter. Besides, two more individuals, including an Awami League nominated chairman candidate, were jailed and fined for illegally using stickers of different law enforcement agencies on a private vehicle in the district's Borkoit UP. They are – ruling party-backed candidate and current Chairman AbulHashem and his driver Md Ali. Abul was fined Tk10,000 and Ali was jailed for seven days, said Executive Magistrate Sabina Yasmin to The Business Standard. 

In Noakhali, police arrested one young man, Robin Hossain, 28, with a gun in his possession from Sonaimuriupazila. A case has been filed against Robin under the Arms Act, said Noakhali Superintendent of Police MdShahidul Islam. Meanwhile, unknown miscreants on Wednesday attacked one Didar Hossain, an independent chairman candidate contesting in the Deoti UP polls. 

In Munshiganj, polls were held in seven unions under Gazariaupazila of the district. Total 66 polling centres were set up for some 112,306 voters (57,710 male, 54,596 female) so that they can exercise their franchise. Over 2,000 members of different law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the voting areas to ensure law and order. 

In the pre-poll campaign of the phase, at least four people were reportedly killed, raising the death toll of the elections in different phases to 65. The much-talked-about UP polls saw violence and casualties in the previous four phases. The second phase was the deadliest which left at least 30 people dead and dozens injured. This session of the local government polls will be held in seven phases, while the sixth phase is scheduled to be held on 31 January at 219 unions, and the final phase on 7 February at 138 unions. Earlier, 836 UPs took part in elections in the fourth phase on 26 December last year, 1,000 in the third phase on 28 November, 833 in the second phase on 11 November. 

The first phase of the election was held in two segments – one on 21 June and the other on 20 September – in which 369 UPs took part.

Another report adds: Two people were killed in Haimchar and Kachua upazilas of Chandpur on Wednesday in clashes during the fifth phase union parishad elections. 

The district’s Superintendent of Police Md Milon Mahmud confirmed the deaths in the evening.

In Kachua, Sharif Hosain was stabbed during the clash between two member candidates at a polling centre at Sachar union in the afternoon. He died on the way to a hospital in Dhaka.

Kachua police OC Md Mohiuddin said he heard that rival candidate supporters attacked Sharif after accusing him of casting fake votes.

In Haimchar, another man was also stabbed to death during another clash between two chairman candidates in Baherchar area of Nilkamal union at around 3pm.

The man, whose body was found half a kilometre away from a polling centre, is yet to the identified, said Haimchar police OC Mahbub Molla.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner MahbubTalukder has expressed his discontent after observing irregularities at polling centres and low turnout of voters in Savar during the fifth phase of union parishad (UP) election on Wednesday in 708 unions across the country. 

"Vote is being cast openly in front of presiding officers. Witnesses and journalists have observed this but no measure has been taken. Police and Rab are on the spot but did not take any action. What election are we holding?" he said. 

MahbubTalukder came up with the reaction after he visited several polling centres in Ashulia this noon, reports our Savar correspondent. Replying to a query about what measures will be taken regarding the irregularities, he said the returning officer has been given responsibility. He will take action in whichever way he thinks is apt.