Three days are left for the fifth phase of elections in over 700 union parishads (UPs). But at least six people have already been killed and hundred others injured in pre-poll violence.  
After the fourth phase was held on May 7, at least four people were killed and scores injured.
In the last four phases, at least 80 people have been killed and several hundred injured before and after polling. The violence is continuing unabated.
Before the fifth phase, six deaths have occurred—one each in Pabna, Munshiganj, Chittagong, Faridpur, Savar (outskirts of Dhaka) and Kishoreganj. Over hundred others were injured.
Violence after the fourth phase claimed four lives—one each in Brahmanbaria, Thakurgaon, Gaibandha and Mymensingh districts. Nearly 50 others were injured.
It has become a major challenge for the Election Commission (EC) to combat violence before and after the polls. The commission is facing criticism from different quarters, including the Awami League, for its "failure" to hold peaceful polls.
Experts said violence on such a large scale was not seen in previous local body elections. This is the first time UP polls are being held under the party banner.
They said violence is increasing because the polls are being held under the party
banner. The entire electoral system is on the verge of destruction as the EC is unable to curb violence and irregularities. If the EC fails to take stern action to stop violence prior to the polls, it would be difficult to check violence and irregularities on the day of election.
One person was killed in each district -- Chittagong and Pabna yesterday (Tuesday), while another in Munshiganj on Monday night in election-related violence.
In Chittagong, miscreants hacked to death a supporter of the Awami League rebel chairman candidate of Islampur union in Rangunia upazila. He was identified as Mohammad Mohsin, 40, son of the late Ramjan Ali of Khatibnagar area in Rangunia.
The rebel chairman candidate, Siraj-ud-Daula Dural, alleged that his rival candidate Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury Milton’s supporters hacked Mohsin to death when he was putting up posters early yesterday.
“Local people found the body of Mohsin. The body bore marks of injury. The murder might have taken place at dawn,” Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rangunia Police Station, said.
In Pabna, a man was killed and five others injured in a pre-election clash between the supporters of two chairmen candidates of Shadullahpur union parishad (UP) in Sadar upazila yesterday night.
The deceased was identified as Kalam Khan, 45, son of Samsher Ali, a resident of Srikole village. Kalam was the supporter of Awami League rebel chairman aspirant Abdul Kuddus Munshi.
Police said supporters of two groups of chairmen aspirants -- one led by Abdul Kuddus Munshi and the other led by AL backed candidate Raisuddin – were conducting electioneering at Srikole village yesterday night. At one stage, the two groups locked into an altercation, triggering the clash around 8pm, leaving Kalam dead on the spot and five people injured.
In Munshiganj, a man was killed and 10 others, including policemen, injured in a clash during campaigning at Gojaria upazila of the district on Monday night. The dead was identified as Md Hanif, 25, son of Nazu Mia of Hosendi union of the upazila. He was a supporter of AL candidate Monirul Haque Mithu.
The police said supporters of AL rebel candidate Mahabubul Haque Majnu brought out a procession. Supporters of the AL candidate also brought out a procession. There was chase and counter-chase, with both sides resorting to firing. Hanif was critically injured and died in hospital. The police opened fire and burst tear-gas shells to bring the situation under control. The incident left five policemen injured.
On May 21, a man was killed at Nurullahganj union of Bhanga upazila in Faridpur district.
On May 21, a man was killed and 20 others injured at Kaundia union of Savar during campaigning by rival candidates.
 On May 18, a person was killed at Komala union of Austagram upazila in Kishoreganj district during campaigning of two ward members.
Besides, incidents like arson attack and vandalism erupted in Gojaria of Munshiganj, Netrokona, Thakurgaon, Jhenaidah, Sirajganj, leaving 25 people injured in the last one week.
The EC said it is doing whatever possible to tackle violence, but each house cannot be guarded.
“We're doing whatever is possible. But it's not possible for us to keep an eye on every house to resist violence,” EC secretary Md Sirajul Islam told The Independent yesterday.
“We've police and magistrates to maintain law and order. But some candidates want to win at any cost, resulting in violence,” he added.
The responsibility falls on the EC as it is conducting the elections and its job is to hold peaceful polls, experts said.