DHAKA: Counting of votes is underway as voting in the third phase of 5th upazila parishad elections ended in 116 upazilas amid tight security measures Sunday (March 24).
The balloting began at 8am and continued till 4pm, without any break.
But, voting at all 89 centres in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj has been suspended following allegations of irregularities and stuffing ballots.
Following the incident, Shafikul Islam, Additional Superintendent of Kishoreganj Police (Crime department) and Mohammad Shamsuddin, Officer in charge of Katiadi Police Station, have been withdrawn for negligence in discharging their duties in the upazila parishad elections.
Besides, voting at five polling centres in Bajitpur upazila and three centres in Bhoirab upazila have been suspended on allegation of irregularities.
In Chattogram, police official suffered bullet injuries in an attack launched by miscreants at a polling centre in Chandanaish upazila during the third phase upazila elections.
In Manikganj, police arrested an assistant presiding officer on charge of casting fake votes in the polls to Daulatpur upazila parishad of Manikganj Sunday (March 24).
In Cox’s Bazar, three people sustained bullet wounds during a clash between supporters of Awami league candidate and AL rebel candidate at South Mognama Govt Primary School polling centre in Pekua upazila elections.
Sunday has been declared a holiday in the polling areas.
As many as 1,18,87,751 people are supposed to cast their ballots, in 9,298 polling centers set up in the 117 upazilas.
340 candidates are vying for chairmen posts while 584 and 399 candidates are vying for vice chairmen and women vice chairmen posts respectively.
As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC) earlier, polls were supposed to open in 127 upazilas in third phase.
Candidates in six upazilas were elected uncontested and voting in other four upazilas have been deferred, said EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed.
The first phase polls held on March 10 and the second phase on March 18. Voting will be held in fourth phase on March 31 and fifth phase on June 18.
BDST: 1818 HRS, MAR 24, 2019
RS/SMS
