Clashes, irregularities reported from several municipality elections

The fourth phase elections to 55 municipalities in 34 districts were held with stray incidents of irregularities and clashes.

During the elections, clashes occurred in Lalmonirhat municipality and Rajshahi's Nawhata, our local correspondents reported.

At least six people were injured in a series of chase and counter-chase between supporters of mayoral and councillor candidates in Lalmonirhat municipality, our local correspondent reports.

Clashes occurred at Shaheed Shahjahan Colony Government Primary School, Church of God High School, Gias Uddin High School and Batrish Hazari Government Primary School polling centres today. 

While covering the event, local journalist Sayeed Taherul Islam Sufi was beaten by the supporters of Awami League-backed mayoral candidate at Saptana Government Primary School centre in Lalmonirhat town.

He alleged that he was attacked by them as he recorded video of a clash with his mobile phone. The attackers snatched his phone, deleted the video and beat him up. 

When asked, Mrinal Kanti Roy, presiding officer at Saptana Government Primary School polling centre, said he was not aware of the incident.

Rezaul Karim Swapan, Awami League's rebel independent candidate, and BNP's mayoral candidate Mosharraf Hossain Rana alleged that supporters of the 'boat' symbol had driven out their agents from various polling centres. 

However, Mofazzal Hossain, the AL-backed mayoral candidate, claimed that the allegations of BNP and independent candidates were false. 

In Natore's Baraigram municipality, an agent of Awami League candidate Mazedul Bari Nayan was reportedly stamping on ballots of voters at Laxmipur Government Primary School polling centre this morning, said Presiding Officer Uzzal Kumar Kundu.

Later, the agent was removed from the polling centre after evidence of stamping ballots was found against him, he told our Natore correspondent.

Alleging vote rigging and stamping ballots, Baraigram municipality's BNP-backed mayor candidate Md Isahaq Ali boycotted the election.

He announced of boycotting the polls at a press conference held at his residence in Laxmikol area around noon today, our Natore correspondent reports. 

Meanwhile, elections to Shibganj municipality in Chapainawabganj and Rangamati municipality were going on peacefully, report our local correspondents.

In Rajshahi, voting at a centre in Nawhata municipality was suspended for over half an hour after a clash happened over attempts to "capture the centre", allegedly by supporters of Awami League's mayor candidate.

Praddut Kumar Pramanik, presiding officer of Bagdhani Government Primary School polling centre, said voting was suspended at the centre since 10:30am, our Rajshahi staff correspondent reports.

Witnesses alleged, policemen caught some outsiders and took them out of the centre in a police vehicle.

When contacted, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police's additional deputy commissioner Golam Ruhul Kuddus Talukder said the police brought the situation under control. But he denied that the police arrested anyone from the spot.

Adittyo Chowdhury, Rajshahi Correspondent of BanglaVision, who was present around the centre during the clash said, a cameraperson of the television channel Jasim Uddin received injuries during the clash.

In Barishal, BNP-backed mayor candidate Riaz Uddin Ahmed and independent mayor candidate Ziaul Haq Mintu boycotted the election at Banaripara municipality, our local correspondent reports.

They alleged of irregularities including vote rigging during the elections.

In Brahmanbaria, independent mayor candidate Shafiqul Islam Khan has boycotted the election in Akhaura municipality.

He made the announcement around 10:30am today, alleging irregularities including vote rigging in the election, our Brahmanbaria correspondent reports.

He also alleged that his agents have been driven out from different polling stations including Devgram Pilot High School and Bangladesh Railway Government High School centres.

In Bagerhat municipality, BNP mayor candidate Sayed Niyaz Hossain Shaibal boycotted the election alleging that his polling agents were beaten up and driven out, voters were restricted from entering the polling centres, and supporters of Awami League candidate stamped ballots.

Voting at all the municipalities began at 8:00pm and will continue till 4:00pm without any break.

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) are in use in 29 of the 55 municipalities while traditional ballot papers in the rest.

A total of 217 candidates are running for mayor at the 55 municipalities. The number of candidates for general councillor posts and those for the reserved seats for women are 2,070 and 618 respectively.

About 16.67 lakh people are enlisted as voters in today's polls.