DHAKA: Counting in the by-elections to 18 Union Parishads (UPs) across the country underway from Sunday afternoon as voting ended peacefully. 

Banglanews local correspondents report that the polls, started from 8:00am, continued till to 4:00pm without any break.

Sources told us that huge police personnel, along with members of other law enforcing agencies, have been deployed in all the polling stations to maintain law and order situation.

Besides, striking force are on guard in the election areas to maintain polls-friendly environment.

The 18 Union Parishads are

Hauli Union Parishad (UP) of  Damurhuda upazila in Chuadanga; Bhola Sadar upazila’s South Digholdi UP, Borhanuddin’s Sachra UP, Lalmohon’s Kalma and Charakhvuta UPs; Sholotaka UP under Gangni upazila of Meherpur district; Shaldanga UP under Debiganj upazila of Panchagarh; Vadai and Saptibari UPs under Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat, Tushvandar UP under Kaliganj upazila and Fakirpara UP under Hatibandha upazila of the district same; Ganguria UP under Porsha of Naogaon; Dhalla UP under Singair of Manikganj; Nanni UP under Nalitabari of Sherpur; Dehergati UP under Babuganj and Otara UP under Ujirpur, both from Barishal; North Charbangshi UP under Raipur of Laxmipur and Chaluabari UPunder Sariakandi of Bogra.

BDST: 1642 HRS, AUG 24, 2014