Violence continues ahead of 3rd phase of UP polls

Partisan polls to blame for violence of this magnitude: Experts

The third phase of elections in 620 Union Parishads (UP) will be held on Saturday even as poll-related violence in different areas continues since the announcement of polls schedule.
It has become a challenge for the Election Commission (EC) to combat pre- and post-poll violence as they are facing criticism from different quarters for their ‘failure’ to hold free and fair polls.
The Commission has already completed two phases of UP polls, during which at least 50 people have been killed and several hundred were injured. This year, the UP polls are being held under the banner of political parties. Experts said that violence of this magnitude was not seen in the previous local body elections.
They also said that violence in the local government elections is increasing due to the holding of polls under political banners and the entire electoral system is on the verge of destruction as the Commission has lost its control over violence and irregularities. They also said if the EC fails to take stern action at the beginning of polls, it would be difficult to check violence and irregularities on the day of elections.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominated candidates alleged that the ruling Awami League supporters are intimidating them and obstructing their election campaign.
Fatikchhari Upazila BNP Convenor Sarwar Alamgir, at a press conference yesterday, at Chittagong Press Club, alleged that the government-backed supporters of the candidate are tearing off and burning their posters and obstructing their campaign. They also alleged that they are not getting any help from law enforcers despite complaints. They said that fair polls will not be possible in this atmosphere of fear and violence, and voters will also not come forward to cast their votes.
However, the mobile courts are imposing fines on candidates for violation of electoral law in some areas. The Commission on Tuesday withdrew an Officer-in-Charge of Kashiani Police Station in Gopalganj district on charges of partiality with the ruling party candidate. The same day, at least 30 people were injured in Narail, Mymensingh, and Rajbari districts over polls-related violence.
At least 10 people were injured at Sarisha Union of Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari district in a clash between supporters of the ruling Awami League candidate and rebel candidates’ supporters. Police fired several rounds of bullets leaving three people injured.
In Narail, three police personnel, including a Sub-Inspector, were injured while trying to pacify the aggressive supporters of two candidates during a UP election campaign at Charkekania area of Baoisona Union under Kalia Upazila of the district.
In Mymensingh, supporters of Jatiya Party candidate Abdul Kader and Awami League candidate Habibur Rahman were locked in an altercation during their election campaign at Bhalukber in Sohagi Union. At one stage, both groups engaged in clashes with sticks and sharp weapons, leaving 15 people injured.
Meanwhile, as per the electoral rules, plying of motorbikes was banned yesterday in elections areas in the 620 UPs going to polls in the third phase. The ban will continue until Saturday midnight.
On Tuesday, Secretary of Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik Baidul Alam Majumdar alleged that the current EC has failed to curb election-related violence and irregularities, which are the main challenges to free and fair polls. “The EC should take stern action prior to the polls. If it fails to do so, violence will increase on the day of election,” he told The Independent.
In the third phase, a total of 1,487 Chairman candidates will contest the polls. Of them, 620 are from the Awami League, 539 from BNP and 167 from Jatiya Party. Other than this, 1,185 Independent candidates will also contest the polls.

Violence continues ahead of 3rd phase of UP polls

Partisan polls to blame for violence of this magnitude: Experts

The third phase of elections in 620 Union Parishads (UP) will be held on Saturday even as poll-related violence in different areas continues since the announcement of polls schedule. It has become a challenge for the Election Commission (EC) to combat pre- and post-poll violence as they are facing criticism from different quarters for their failure to hold free and fair polls. The Commission has already completed two phases of UP polls, during which at least 50 people have been killed and several hundred were injured. This year, the UP polls are being held under the banner of political parties. Experts said that violence of this magnitude was not seen in the previous local body elections. They also said that violence in the local government elections is increasing due to the holding of polls under political banners and the entire electoral system is on the verge of destruction as the Commission has lost its control over violence and irregularities. They also said if the EC fails to take stern action at the beginning of polls, it would be difficult to check violence and irregularities on the day of elections. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominated candidates alleged that the ruling Awami League supporters are intimidating them and obstructing their election campaign. Fatikchhari Upazila BNP Convenor Sarwar Alamgir, at a press conference yesterday, at Chittagong Press Club, alleged that the government-backed supporters of the candidate are tearing off and burning their posters and obstructing their campaign. They also alleged that they are not getting any help from law enforcers despite complaints. They said that fair polls will not be possible in this atmosphere of fear and violence, and voters will also not come forward to cast their votes. However, the mobile courts are imposing fines on candidates for violation of electoral law in some areas. The Commission on Tuesday withdrew an Officer-in-Charge of Kashiani Police Station in Gopalganj district on charges of partiality with the ruling party candidate. The same day, at least 30 people were injured in Narail, Mymensingh, and Rajbari districts over polls-related violence. At least 10 people were injured at Sarisha Union of Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari district in a clash between supporters of the ruling Awami League candidate and rebel candidates supporters. Police fired several rounds of bullets leaving three people injured. In Narail, three police personnel, including a Sub-Inspector, were injured while trying to pacify the aggressive supporters of two candidates during a UP election campaign at Charkekania area of Baoisona Union under Kalia Upazila of the district. In Mymensingh, supporters of Jatiya Party candidate Abdul Kader and Awami League candidate Habibur Rahman were locked in an altercation during their election campaign at Bhalukber in Sohagi Union. At one stage, both groups engaged in clashes with sticks and sharp weapons, leaving 15 people injured. Meanwhile, as per the electoral rules, plying of motorbikes was banned yesterday in elections areas in the 620 UPs going to polls in the third phase. The ban will continue until Saturday midnight. On Tuesday, Secretary of Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik Baidul Alam Majumdar alleged that the current EC has failed to curb election-related violence and irregularities, which are the main challenges to free and fair polls. The EC should take stern action prior to the polls. If it fails to do so, violence will increase on the day of election, he told The Independent. In the third phase, a total of 1,487 Chairman candidates will contest the polls. Of them, 620 are from the Awami League, 539 from BNP and 167 from Jatiya Party. Other than this, 1,185 Independent candidates will also contest the polls.