Voting ends amid violence, boycott

In the second phase, voting has been held in 60 municipalities of the country. Voting started at 8 am on Saturday and continued till 4 pm. The counting of votes is now going on.

In some of polling centres, there have been clashes and cocktail explosions between the activists and supporters of the rival candidates. Car vandalism also took place in some areas. Except for a few scattered incidents of violence, most municipalities reported peaceful voting.

However, BNP candidates in four municipalities have boycotted the polls alleging irregularities. They are the BNP mayoral candidates in Bhabaniganj of Rajshahi, Mongla of Bagerhat, Kuliarchar of Kishoreganj and Ishwardi municipality of Pabna. They announced a boycott after 11pm on Saturday.

Independent mayoral candidate of Meherpur's Gangni municipality also boycotted the polls on allegations of irregularities.

According to the data, a total of 221 candidates are contesting for the post of mayor in 60 municipalities. Electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used for voting in 28 out of 60 municipalities while the remaining 32 were voted through ballot papers.

In 60 municipalities, mayoral candidates are 221 while 745 are contesting for reserved seats, and 2,320 for general seats.