Voting halted at 25 centres

- Allegations of rigging, ballot snatching mark polls

- BNP complaint at EC barely 2 hour into start of election

- With complaints, BNP determined to follow through

Clashes, ballot occupation and allegations of forced balloting marked the start of country’s maiden municipality polls in 234 municipalities under political banners.

Voting was suspended in at least 25 centres of Chittagong, Comilla, Madaripur, Narail, Patuakhali, Feni, Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Narayanganj and Jamalpur districts while clashes and attacks were reported from some others.

Barely two hours into the voting, a three-member BNP team led by BNP chairperson’s adviser Osman Faruk went to the Election Commission at 10:00am to file complaint.

They alleged that around 60 polling centres were already occupied by ruling party supporters within two hours of voting.

Ruling Awami League activists allegedly attacked a BNP candidate Abul Mansoor of Chittagong’s Shitakundo municipality shortly after voting started, our local correspondent reports quoting police.

Nazmul Haque Bhuiya, returning officer of Sitakunda municipality, said he sent police at Pontijila High School (the location of the attack) immediately after hearing incident.

In Patuakhali’s Kuakata municipality, at least seven people were injured in clashes between local Awami League and BNP supporters at Panjupara vote center, our local correspondent reports.

Azizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kalapara Police Station, confirmed the clash. Returning officer Nazmul Kabir said voting was suspended around 10:15am.

In Jessore Sadar municipality, supporters of AL supporters took control of Jessore Institute School polling centre around 8:00am, reports our local correspondent from the spot.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sabina Yesmin, also returning officer of the municipality, told our correspondent, “I am taking action immediately.”

In Chittagong’s Chandanaish municipality, two voting centres were suspended around 10:15am, said Sanjida Sharmin, returning officer of the municipality.

In Comilla’s Barura municipality, voting was suspended at former Shilmuri Union Parishad polling centre after alleged miscreants snatched ballots, Abu Bakar Siddique, assistant returning officer told our local correspondent.

In Madaripur’s Kalkini municipality, two polling stations were suspended due to ballot stuffing allegedly by ruling party activists, a local stringer reports quoting the returning officer.

In Dhaka’s Savar municipality, Awami League’s rebel candidate Salauddin Khan complained that his supporters were driven out from a polling centre. Returning Officer Samidur Rahman showed indifference when contacted from The Daily Star.

In Jamalpur’s Sadar and Sarishabari municipalities, voting at Sadar Govt Primary School and Baushi Bangali voting centres were suspended, respective returning officers said.

In addition, supporters of Awami League and BNP clashed in Jaheda Safir Govt Women’s College in Sadar. Police were compelled to fire some blank shots to calm the situation, our correspondent reports from the spot.

In Narail’s Kalia municipality, voting at three centres – Kalia Pilot High School, Purbo Kalia Govt Model Primary School and Mirzapur Govt Primary School – were suspended. Presiding officers of the centres said the suspension was due to “uncongenial atmosphere”.

In Noakhali’s Choumohoni municipality, voting was suspended at three centres North Nazirpur Govt Primary School, North Nazirpur Nurani Madrassa and North Hazipur Govt Primary School, our local correspondent reports.

In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka municipality, voting was suspended at South Bhaluka Govt Primary School because miscreants snatched away ballots, our correspondent reports quoting Quamrul Ahsan, returning officer of the municipality.

In Narsingdi Sadar and Madhabdi municipalities, a total of nine polling centres were suspended , our local correspondent reports quoting respective returning officers Suraiya Begum and Rafiqul Islam.

In Narayanganj’s Sonargaon municipality, the local returning officer suspended voting in Shahapur Talimul Madrasa polling center.