2nd phase of upazila polls: Clash in Rajshahi, allegations of fraudulent voting in Narayanganj, Cumilla
The turnout of voters in Savar, Rajshahi, Munshiganj, Barishal, Lakshmipur and Brahmanbaria was significantly lower in the first hour and a half, but it is expected to increase as the day progresses
The second phase of upazila election is underway in 156 upazilas across the country.
The voting began at 8am, and will continue until 4pm.
The turnout of voters in Savar, Rajshahi, Munshiganj, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Cumilla and Brahmanbaria was significantly lower during the early hours of the voting, but election officials at the centre said they expect it to increase as the day progresses.
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Here are all the live updates of the polling
1:10pm
The Election Commission (EC) reported a voter turnout of approximately 17% within the first four hours of the polling.
EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said the voting process has been largely peaceful with no major incidents reported.
"We have received information about only 18 minor incidents. Among them, one individual was stabbed during a clash between supporters of two candidates and was taken to the hospital. He is now in stable condition," he said.
"A voter suffered a stroke while standing in line and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Additionally, in Rajshahi, an Ansar member suffered a stroke and passed away at the polling centre", he added.
"We expect the voting process to be completed smoothly by 4pm," said the EC secretary.
12:40pm
Five have been injured during a clash between supporters of two chairman candidates in the Gopalpure High School centre in Rajshahi's Durgapur upazila.
The clash occurred during an attempt by the supporters of both candidates to take control of the polling centre.
The injured were admitted to Durgapur upazila health complex for initial treatment.
District Returning Officer Kalyan Choudhury said the situation is now normal.
"Law enforcers immediately controlled the situation following the incident, and voting is currently being conducted peacefully," he said.
11:50am
Allegations of fraudulent voting have been brought against supporters of a candidate in Narayanganj's Araihazar.
At 9am at the Duptara Union's Central Coronation School and College centre, polling agents of the 'Horse' symbol were seen closely monitoring voters at the third and fourth booths.
Both stepped away after noticing the presence of media personnel and their cameras.
When asked about the matter, the presiding officer of the centre denied to comment.
There were polling agents for the 'Horse' and 'Pineapple' symbols at the men's and women's centres in this location. However, no agents of the main rival symbol 'Inkpot and Pen' were present in any room in the centres.
Candidate with the 'Inkpot and Pen' symbol Shahjalal alleged that his agents were threatened last night.
At 9:45am, at booth no 98 in the Dori Satyabhandi Government Primary School centre, Saiful Islam, a polling agent for the 'Pineapple' symbol, was seen monitoring the secret room of a booth.
He quickly moved away upon being photographed. Later, when informed, the presiding officer took him to his room and pleaded with journalists to forgive him.
Meanwhile, in another room, an individual was seen openly voting for the 'Horse' symbol and rejoining the line three minutes after casting his vote.
When confronted just before voting again, he initially denied any wrongdoing, even though the black ink on his finger was still fresh. He eventually fled the scene.
"I am doing my job. But whenever I go to one side, they enter from another. I am sincerely sorry for what has happened. This will not happen again," said Murad Hossain Bhuiya, presiding officer of the centre.
As journalists were leaving the centre after the incident, they were surrounded by supporters of the 'Horse' symbol led by Shahida Mosharraf, the vice chairman of the upazila council.
During this time, they requested the journalists not to report and blocked their vehicle.
Eventually, they attempted to bribe the journalists. The journalists could leave the situation after repeatedly requesting to be let go.
Shahjalal Mia, a candidate for the' Inkpot and Pen' symbol, has made allegations of poll station capture, fraudulent voting, and influence peddling in other unions of the upazila.
"Fraudulent voting is happening at various centres, and my agents have been expelled. When we report to the police, they say they are looking into it," he said.
"The election is not being conducted fairly. I will monitor the situation until the results are declared. I will not leave the electoral field," he added.
Additional Superintendent of Police, Chailau Marma, said, "Several complaints have been received and actions have been promptly taken. The election is being conducted fairly and our surveillance continues."
11:20am
There have been some allegations of fraudulent voting in Cumilla's Barura upazila.
Abul Hashem, the union chairman of Barura's Lakshmipur, brought the allegation on the morning of the polling day.
"Continuous fraudulent voting has been happening at the Lakshmipur Government Primary School and the Pachthubi Ahmadiyya Fazil Madrasah centres. These centers could be overtaken at any time," he said.
Hashem also claimed the administration is removing his voters.
Denying the allegations, Jahangir Alam, the presiding officer at the Pachthubi Government Primary School centre, said there are 1,720 votes at this center and 200 votes have been cast in two hours.
"The situation is normal. The administration is patrolling repeatedly. If any evidence of fraudulent voting is found, action will be taken," he added.
10:40am
Election officials of the polling centres in Savar said they received little response from voters in the first hour.
Due to the low number of voters, the presiding officer, polling agents, and others at the centres were seen passing their time rather idly.
"It is the season of rice harvesting. Voter turnout is low due to men being occupied in agricultural fields," said Idris Ali, a voter of Rajshahi's Durgapur upazila.
The two upazilas of Cumilla also witnessed low voter turnover.
10:15am
There were no queues of voters in the Muriara Govt Primary School centre of Cumilla's Barura upazila, where polling is conducted in nine booths.
The police and Ansar members on duty were seen chit-chatting with each other and laughing at four dogs standing where the queues of voters were supposed to be.
Polling centres in Barishal, on the other hand, had the presence of more voters compared to the rest of the regions. Officials at the polling centres said they expect the number to increase further as the day progresses.
9:30am
Brahmanbaria district police have identified 76 out of the 129 polling centres in two Brahmanbaria upazilas as high-risk centres, most of them in Kasba.
An attack was carried out on Emdadul Haq Palash, a chairman candidate's polling agent, just a day before the polling. The incident has heated the region's environment ahead of the election.
"Additional security measures have been taken at the centres where violence is feared to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote safely and without any hindrance," said Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain, superintendent of police of Brahmanbaria.
He said 1,029 police officers have been deployed in the district on the polling day.
In addition to the police, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will patrol the 78 high-risk centres.
9am
Several layers of security are in place in Barishal to ensure the upazila elections are conducted smoothly.
"To manage the elections in two Barishal upazilas, 1,400 police officers have been deployed. RAB, River Police, Ansar, and Coast Guard forces are also present, along with at least 40 mobile teams. Strict actions will be taken against irregularities," said Barisal District Police Superintendent Wahidul Islam.
Mondip Gharai, the additional deputy commissioner, said, "Four platoons of BGB have been deployed in Hijla and Muladi upazilas to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections."
"The BGB began their duties on Sunday and will function as mobile and striking forces on the polling day," said Mondip, who is also the returning officer in both of these upazilas.
