AGENCIES /AMN / DHAKA
Voting for the 11th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh ended peacefully barring some sporadic violence as supporters of rival candidates clashed at some places while the Election Commission claimed that nation cast their vote amid festivity.
According to information available in media, sporadic violence took places at some polling centres that left eight persons, four from the ruling Awami League, dead and some others injured.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda said barring some unwanted incidents, the polling so far was smooth and peaceful.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told media that some of their candidates stayed off the vote in their “personal decisions” but the party will announce its stance soon.
Eminent lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain who leads main opposition alliance Jatiyaoikya Front with BNP being its key partner, however, said the overall environment is not bad with huge turnout of voters.
A team of foreign and local election observers said voting was taking place smoothly and peacefully and everyone is getting access to polling station.
“Everybody is getting access to their polling station and able to cast their ballot. All of the officers and officials are doing a great job maintaining order,” said Tania Foster, observer from Canada.
According to information available in media, sporadic violence took places at some polling centres that left eight persons, four from the ruling Awami League, dead and some others injured.
The victims include one Awami League supporter each in Bogura-4, Mohanpur, Pekua upazila’s Rajakhali and Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati. Elderly voter dies in the middle of a chase and counter-chase in Dinajpur-2
Voting suspended at a centre in Noakhali-3 after criminals allegedly carried away all materials.
Opposition BNP activists in Noakhali-1 constituency attacked Ansar personnel and snatched arms and ammunitions from them, said police super Elias Sharif.
The opposition activists attacked judicial magistrates in Noakhali and Chandpur.
The poling began at 8pm and the voter turnout was low in the morning due to cold weather, but the number rose sharply with the passing of time.
Long queues of voters were seen in capital’s Khilgaon Government Girls High School, Khilgaon Government High School, Shantinagar Little Angels Learning Home polling centers.
Number of the voters in the 11th parliament election in different polling centers of 16 constituencies in Chittagong city and district began to increase with passing of the time.
Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram, Ilias Hossain, said the voting was continuing in total peaceful atmosphere excepting some stray incidents in Patiya and Banskhali.
According to official sources, the concerned government agencies including district and upazila administrations, Bangladesh Army, RAB, Police and Ansar- VDP have been working round the clock to make the election a total success.