BCC polls: Clashes reported in several polling centres

Clashes and unrest have been reported at several polling centres of the Barishal City Corporation polls on Monday.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s mayoral candidate Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim claimed he was barred from entering the polling centre to cast his vote at around 9:30am. The candidate contending with the Hand Fan symbol also claimed that he was attacked by supporters of the Boat symbol and that his supporters were also attacked.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Kamrul Ahsan claimed that his polling agents were thrown out of the Alekanda Govt Primary School centre of ward number 15.

Clashes allegedly broke out between supporters of councillor candidates Farid Uddin and Humayun Kabir at Board School and Fakibari School centres of ward number 26.

Returning Officer Humayun Kabir said, the Hand Fan candidate was trying to enter a polling centre in ward number 2 with his men when an altercation happened with supporters of an opponent.

This matter is being investigated, he said.

Polling started at 8am at 126 centres. Seven candidates are vying for the mayoral post in the BCC polls, 119 councillors for general posts, and 42 for reserved posts.

The mayoral candidates are – Awami League (AL) candidate Abul Khair Abdullah (Boat), Jatiya Party's Iqbal Hossain Taposh (Plough), Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim (Hand fan), Zaker Party's Mizanur Rahman Bachchu (Rose), independent candidate Kamrul Ahsan (Table clock), Asaduzzaman (Elephant) and Ali Hossain Howlader (Deer).

A total of 2,76,298 voters — 1,37,489 male and 1,38, 809 female — will exercise their franchise.

/KN/