30-40% voter turnout in first phase upazila polls: CEC

The voter turnout in the first phase of the 6th upazila parishad polls that took place today was between 30 to 40%, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.

He said the low turnout was due to rain and ongoing paddy harvesting.

The polls were held in 139 upazilas of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, Faridpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram regions. The voting started at 8am and ended at 4pm. 

In the post-polls media briefing, the CEC said, "Many were unable to reach the polling centres due to the rain. Additionally, the ongoing paddy harvesting season has contributed to the lower voter turnout". 

"Many were unable to reach the polling centres due to the rain. Additionally, the ongoing paddy harvesting season has contributed to the lower voter turnout".

CEC Kazi Habibul Awal

Previously, in the 5th upazila parishad polls in 2019, more than 41% of votes were cast. The turnout was 61% and 67.69% in the upazila polls in 2014 and in 2009 respectively.

Meanwhile, at least five people were injured as supporters of two chairman candidates clashed in Gajaria of Munshiganj during the polling yesterday after one group allegedly tried to enter a polling centre forcefully.

To calm the situation, the police later fired rubber bullets and closed down the polling centre at Hoshendi Bahumukhi High School, said Mohammad Rajib Khan, officer-in-charge of Gajaria police station.

According to witnesses, a clash ensued between supporters of chairman candidates Amirul Islam and Mansoor Ahmed Khan Jinnah after Amirul's supporters allegedly attempted to enter the polling centre.

All elected unopposed in 5 upazilas

Meanwhile, in five upazilas, all candidates were elected unopposed, including 8 chairmen, 10 vice chairmen, and 10 female vice chairmen.

To ensure security and discipline during voting, nearly 1,60,000 members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Forces were deployed in the polling areas. In addition, 418 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh were stationed nationwide to maintain law and order and ensure a fair and peaceful election.

25 people injured in 34 incidents

According to the central control room of the Election Commission, during the voting yesterday, a total of 34 incidents of violence took place where at least 25 people were injured. 

However, Habibul Awal said the voting was fair, with only a few isolated incidents reported. 

"Being informed about the incidents, the EC took immediate measures, and balloting at two centres was postponed. Law enforcement agencies and administration were very cautious about their respective duties," he said, adding that the voting process remained largely peaceful.

In the first phase, some 1,630 candidates, including nearly 570 chairman contenders, were in the electoral race in 139 upazilas against a total of 417 posts. The posts are chairman, vice chairman and woman vice chairman.

Of the 139 upazilas, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used in 22 upazilas, while the rest used ballot papers.