DHAKA: Counting of votes began as voting of the first phase of 5th upazila parishad elections came to an end in 78 upazilas amid festivity and tight security measures Sunday (Mar 10).

The balloting began at 8am and ended at 4pm without any break.

Voting at 12 centers in Baniachang, Ajmiriganj of Habiganj, Shalla of Sunamganj, Shahjadpur, Sadar of Sirajganj, Sadar, Ulipur, Nageshwari and Roumari of Kurigram has been suspended on allegation of irregularities.   

Besides, chairman candidate of Kalai upazila polls Sunday (Mar 10) announced that he boycotted the polls bringing allegations of irregularities and fake vote casting.

Moreover, two groups of ruling Awami League factions locked into clash at Shahpur Government Primary School polling center, leaving six people, including a police constable and an Ansar man, injured. 

Sunday has been declared a holiday in the polling areas.

As many as 1,42,48,850 people were supposed to cast their ballots, in 5,847 polling centers set up in the 78 upazilas.

207 candidates are contesting for chairmen posts while 386 and 249 candidates are contesting for vice chairmen and women vice chairmen posts respectively. 

In this phase, as many as 28 candidates, including 15 for chairmen posts, were elected uncontested earlier.

As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC), voting will be held in second phase on Mar 18, third phase on Mar 24, fourth phase on Mar 31 and fifth phase on Jun 18.

BDST: 1620 HRS, MAR 10, 2019
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