Elections in 131 unions largely peaceful
Voters stand in long queues at Rajanagar School polling centre in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district, below, women wait at Danga Primary School centre in Narsingdi to cast their votes during the union parishad (UP) elections held in 131 UPs in 17 districts yesterday. Photo: STAR
Peaceful elections were held in 131 unions of 17 districts under the second phase of union parishad polls yesterday. Voting took place in 11 unions in Kishoreganj, 11 in Kushtia, one in Gazipur, five in Gopalganj, six in Chandpur, 12 in Tangail, six in Dhaka, seven in Dinajpur, three in Narsingdi, six in Netrakona, nine in Pabna, five in Bhola, 10 in Munshiganj, 10 in Mymenshingh, 12 in Sherpur, nine in Sirajganj and eight in Sylhet, according to our correspondents. Seventeen people were arrested in Pabna, Sirajganj and Kishoreganj districts for violating code of conduct during elections. In Pabna: Law enforcers arrested four people in Bera and Dhalarchar unions during yesterday's election. The arrestees are Zakirul, Faridul Safiul and Rabiul. Of them, Zakirul, Faridul and Safiul were picked up from in front of Adarsha High School centre in Bera upazila while campaigning for a chairman candidate. Rabiul was arrested while roaming near Rajdhoirdial Primary School centre in Dhalarchar Union riding a motorbike. He was later sentenced to six months imprisonment. In Netrakona: Elections to six union parishad in Khaliajuri upazila were held peacefully. About 54,000 voters cast their votes at 54 polling centres. Twelve executive magistrates, one judicial magistrate and members of the law enforcing agencies were on-duty during polling. In Madaripur: Peaceful voting took place in 18 out of 19 unions under Shibchar upazila of the district yesterday. As many as 163 candidates contested for the posts of chairman while 666 candidates for member posts. In Kishoreganj: elections to 11 union Parishads in Kishoreganj Sadar upazila were held peacefully. Law enforcers arrested 12 people, including a member candidate, in Boulai union for violating code of conduct. In Sirajganj: Voting took place in nine unions under Rayganj upazila of the district peacefully. Police arrested the husband of a candidate for reserved seat at a centre in Pangashi Union on charge of charge of campaigning for his wife during election. In Dinajpur: Barring some stray incidents, elections to seven union parishads under two upazilas of the district were held peacefully. Incidents of chase and counter chase between the supporters of the rival candidates took place in Bulakipur, Meson and Barnopur centres in Shingra Union of Ghoraghat upazila. Police and Rab personnel brought the situation under control. Fire broke out at Boratipur centre in Bulatipur Union of Ghoraghat upazila during counting of votes. Fire fighters rushed to the centre and extinguished the blaze. Police said the fire originated at the centre from electric short circuit. Elections to the rest of the union parishads in other districts were held peacefully.
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