Poll rigging infects kids in Barisal too

The anarchy and lawlessness that have become quite visible nowadays in national and local elections have already reached educational institutions with the government introducing "student cabinet" polls at all secondary schools and madrasas in the country.

As part of the ongoing string of student cabinet elections, the polls were held at 517 schools and madrasas in Barisal yesterday between 9:00am and 2:00pm amid a number of incidents of violence and irregularities.

Shafiqul Islam, head teacher of Khagasura Secondary School in the district, said over 800 students of the school were casting votes, but around 2:00pm some miscreants led by Rabbi, a tenth-grader of the school, attacked the polling centre and looted two ballot boxes.

Saidur Rahaman Rintu, president of the school's managing committee, said he informed police who brought the situation under control.

Seeking anonymity, a student's guardian said Rabbi, ex-student Rafi and one Hasan of the area were involved in the incident as they were asked to do so by a local Awami League leader who always tried to hold sway over the area.

Asked, the AL leader declined to comment and left the school compound.

Lutfunnahar Afroj, district secondary education officer, said she was yet to receive any complaint about the irregularities while Jasimuddin, co-ordinator of student cabinet elections, said the elections were suspended due to the anomalies.