107 upazilas go to polls today

The fourth phase of upazila election takes place today in 107 upazilas amid tight security.

Over 2.55 crore people are expected to cast their votes in 9,740 centres.

The election that began on March 10 and would be conducted in 480 upazilas in five phases this year is boycotted by the BNP and several other parties.

The Election Commission is yet to announce the schedule for the fifth phase. But, the EC officials said the final phase would be held on June 18, after the Higher Secondary Certificate exams and the Eid-ul-Fitr.

The first three phases of the polls were held on March 10, March 18 and March 24 respectively, in 78, 116 and 117 upazilas.

In this year's upazila polls, the political parties nominated aspirants for the first time.

According to EC Assistant Secretary (election management) Ashfaqur Rahman, two platoons of BGB would be deployed in all the 107 upazilas during the fourth phase of the election. Besides, two to three additional platoons would be deployed in 48 upazilas.

SM Asaduzzaman, EC joint secretary and director (public relations), yesterday said they had taken preparation for a free and fair election.

The EC has deployed 111 platoons of additional Border Guard Bangladesh members in 48 upazilas ahead of today's election and kept 48 platoons as reserve force.

The deployment of additional forces has been done keeping the upazilas' law and order situation in mind, he said, adding the BGB men would act as mobile striking forces.

According to the EC officials, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would be used in six upazilas -- Patuakhali Sadar, Cox's Bazar Sadar, Begherhat Sadar, Mymensingh Sadar, Munshiganj Sadar and Feni Sadar -- during the fourth phase of the election.

Meanwhile, the EC ordered three MPs -- Anwarul Abedin Khan of Mymensingh-9, Ranajit Kumar Roy of Jashore-4 and Mohammed Ekramul Karim Chowdhury of Noakhali-4¬¬ -- to leave the election areas following allegations that they breached rules by influencing the local government polls.

During the first three phases, the EC ordered at least 20 MPs to leave their areas because of the same allegation.