Upazila Polls Snapshots

While people turned out in good numbers to cast their votes in the second phase of the upazila polls yesterday, sporadic violence at many centres across the country spoilt the festive mood. An elections agent of a BNP-backed candidate was beaten up in Bagerhat. Polling centres were attacked in Feni, Noakhali, and Munshiganj and in places ballot boxes were snatched and burned. There was even a clash between Awami League supporters and Hefajat-e Islam adherents in Patia of Chittagong. A Jamaat-e-Islami supporter and an Awami League supporter were also arrested at Bagha in Rajshahi and at Munshiganj in connection with intruding into polling centres and trying to influence voters. At the end of the day, counting of the ballots began in 114 upazilas. Election to one upazila parishad had to be suspended yesterday due to violence.

Photo: Star/Banglar Chokh