Election 2008

EU observers say voting fair, peaceful in Chandpur

29 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Alam Palash, Chandpur

Voting was peaceful in five constituencies in the district barring an attack on the car of four-party alliance candidate in Chadnpur-1 (Kachua and Narayanpur union of Matlab South upazila) ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon. A group of youths hurled brickbats on his car when Milon went to Narayanpur Bazar at around 10.30 am. Front window of the car was damaged. When contacted Milon however claimed that it was an attempt to kill him. He held Awami League activists responsible for the incident. The former state minister said he was taking preparation to file a case with Matlab South police station. During visit to different polling centres voters were seen spontaneously coming to polling centres and standing in long queues. Presence of women voters was higher. Law enforcing agency sources said no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in Chanddpur. Rapid Action battalion (Rab) and army personnel were on patrol in Chandpur town areas. At Chandpur Hasan Ali Government High School at 9 am, this correspondent saw 50 to 60 votes cast their votes at every booth. At 9.30 am at Matripith Government Girls High School, some women said they faced problems in finding which booth to go to cast vote. At 10 am at Baburhat School and College Centre, 900 out of 3,000 votes were cast in a peacefyl atmosphere. In Chandpur-3 (Sadar and Haimchar), the candidates of the grand alliances hired rickshaws to bring voters to polling centres. A number of rickshaw pullers told this correspondent that they were hired for the day for Tk 300 to Tk 500. the same scene was seen in at least six centres. EU observers Two European Union observers who visited the five constituencies told this correspondent at noon in front of deputy commissioner's office that the election was fair and peaceful. The delegation comprised Danish citizen Vabeke Klingard and Italian citizen Umberlo Bonetti.