The first phase of elections for 732 union parishads (UP) is going to be held today, amid fears of violence. The Election Commission (EC) has said that the culture of violence during elections has not gone away. It is very much there and on a greater scale.  
At least 10 people have been killed during the run-up to the elections, and several hundreds injured. The death toll was three in the last UP polls in 2011.
Even a chairman candidate was shot dead at Gyalenga, in Ruma upazila, yesterday. Police sources said that a gang of miscreants picked up Shantiha Tripura, 35, a member of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS), from his house and took him to Adika Para at about 3:00am. Later, Shantiha was shot dead and the culprits fled the scene.
 EC sources said at least 120 writ petitions had been filed before the High Court till yesterday. The court has issued 64 rules, given 49 directives on different issues, like violation of election rules, and suspended elections in seven UPs.
 The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Kazi Rakibuddin

Ahmad, said yesterday (Monday) that poll-related violence takes place as they don’t get sufficient support from other departments, like law enforcement agencies, in holding elections.
The CEC warned that if any violence takes place, law enforcers and election officers concerned will be held responsible and action will be taken against them. Rakibuddin said this at a press conference at the EC’s media centre.
“Incidents of poll-related violence are increasing. The number of such incidents is higher in our country. It’s a matter of our character, tradition and culture. It will take time to get rid of this,” he said in reply to a query.
He, however, said that the EC is trying heart and soul to get rid of this culture of violence during elections. But, at the same time, the commission feels helpless as it has to depend on other departments for holding peaceful elections.
“We are dependent on other departments, like law enforcement agencies. We don’t get support of other departments as much as we expect. As a result, violence takes place,” he added.
The CEC further said that elections are now held with money and muscle power. “Every candidate thinks that he/she alone is capable. Candidates who have muscle power regard themselves eligible to win. Election has become money centred. Let the voters decide whom they want to elect,” he observed.
Rakibuddin said the commission has taken measures so that no one can dare stuff ballot boxes before polling begins.
“We will take quick action if anybody, including law enforcers and election officers, show any sort of negligence.  They will have to prevent illegal activities,” he said.
The CEC said more than 1.8 lakh law enforcers, including the police, RAB, BGB, Armed Police Battalion and Ansar, will be deployed to maintain law and order at the polling centres.
There will be a team of 20 policemen and Ansar, led by a police officer, at each polling centre to ensure security. The number may be increased if necessary.
In addition, there will be executive and judicial magistrates in the field to take punitive measures. EC sources said a total of 303 executive magistrates and 101 judicial magistrates have been deployed for the purpose. In each upazila, four executive magistrates and one judicial magistrate have been deployed for rapid trial for violation of the electoral code. Besides, a monitoring cell, headed by the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), has been opened in each upazila. Law enforcers and magistrates will be on duty on the election day and the next day to main law and order.
The CEC further said that mobile and striking force of the police and RAB will be posted outside the centres to prevent violence.
He said the commission has already taken measures against two members of Parliament for violation of the electoral code.
Besides, officers-in-charge, UNO and the district election officer have been withdrawn for negligence of duty and many have been warned, he added.
The CEC said the commission has taken all measures so that voters can cast their ballots without intimidation. He also urged the political parties, their supporters and candidates to cooperate with the EC to hold free, fair and credible elections.
A total of 1,19,40,741 voters will exercise their franchise at 6,987 polling centres. Of them, 59,95,269 are male voters and 59,42,694 female. The election will begin at 8am and continue till 4pm without any break.
A total of 36,456 candidates will contest the polls today. Of them, 3,043 are chairman candidates, 7,575 are member candidates from reserved seats and 25,847 are general member candidates.
Among the chairman candidates, 54 have already been elected unopposed; from the reserved seats, 54 have won  uncontested and 179 have been elected unopposed.
From the major political parties, the Awami League has nominated 733 chairman candidates, BNP 613 and the Jatiya Party 127. There are 1,246 independent chairman candidates.