Voting Underway in 160 UPs, 2 Killed in Bagerhat, Cox's Bazar

Voting of the first phase elections to the postponed 160 Union Parishads (UPs) is underway.

The voting has begun at 8 am Monday and will continue till 4 pm.

At the same time, by-elections are being held in nine municipalities and local government councils of the country.

Earlier, the EC had postponed the elections due to the surge of the coronavirus outbreak.

Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) system is being used in 9 municipalities and in 11 UPs of 160.

According to EC sources, 44 candidates have been elected unopposed for the post of chairman in 160 UPs.

There are about 1,965 candidates in the reserved wards and 6,333 candidates in the general wards.

Meanwhile, out of 9 municipalities, three candidates have won unopposed as mayors at Langalkot in Cumilla, Kabirhat in Noakhali and Boalkhali in Chattogram.

Now 27 persons are vying for the post of mayor.

In the meantime, 70-year-old Fatema Begum was killed in the violence created by the opposition candidate's supporters in the UP election in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat that took place on Sunday night.

In Noakhali, five chairman candidates, including two candidates from Awami League, boycotted the polls alleging occupying centers, intimidation, obstructing voters and irregularities. Two councilor candidates from Kabirhat municipality also boycotted the election quoting similar allegations.

In Kutubjom union of Moheshkhali under Cox's Bazar, five people were shot in a gunfight that broke out between supporters of Awami League candidate Sheikh Kamal and independent candidate Mosharraf Hossain Khokon at a polling centre in ward no.5 at around 11:15 am.

Seriously injured Abul Kalam died at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Soon after the incident, that voting centre along with a nearby one were closed.