Second phase UP polls begins today

The second phase of the Union Parishad (UP) elections is taking place today (Thursday) with pre-poll violence reported in many places across the country mostly among the rival candidates of the ruling Awami League.  A total of 81 candidates were elected unopposed in the second phase of UP election in the country, according to a source. 

More than 690 ruling party candidates were identified as rebels and as a result, many of them got expelled from the party. 

Today's voting is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am and will continue until 4:00 pm. The candidates vying for the post of chairman are running under party banners.

The commission has warned of 'strict action' to control any untoward situation, expressing its ‘worry’ and ‘concern’ over the violence in the run-up to the polls.

 “The candidates have completed their campaigns. Now it’s time to vote. Election materials will be sent to the voting centres on Wednesday. All the arrangements for the election are complete,” said EC Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath.

The election organising body said it has increased field-level security measures in this phase to maintain order, despite some incidents of pre-election clashes in several places.

 “The number of field-level executives has also been increased to supervise the electoral code of conduct,” the EC additional secretary said.

 “We hope the situation will be under control at polling centres as the number of BGB personnel has also been increased in several places.”

A total of 3,310 candidates are vying for the chairman posts in the second phase of the UP election. Around 9,161 candidates are seeking reserved councillor posts for women, while 28,747 people are seeking to become members.

In addition to the Awami League, candidates from the Jatiya Party and others are taking part in the election. The BNP has declined to take part in the polls, so its candidates have run as independents.

Voting will be held at 20 union councils using electronic voting machines, while the rest will use paper ballots.

The commission also warned that candidates may be rejected if they resort to pre-election violence.

The third phase elections to 1,700 Union Parishads (UPs) and 10 municipalities across Bangladesh will be held on November 28 while the fourth phase of Union Parishad elections will be held on December 23, the Election Commission announced on Wednesday.

A total of 840 UPs across the country will go to polls in the fourth phase. Besides, voting will be held in three municipalities on the same day.

Election Commission's Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker declared the election schedule after an EC meeting at its office in the capital.

In the first phase, elections were held in 204 UPs on June 21 and 160 UPs on September 20. The EC held the first phase of elections on two dates due to Covid-19.

The ongoing union parishad polls show just how desperate the grassroots Awami League leaders are to go to power or cling to it at the lowest tier of the local government.

Many AL leaders filed nominations ignoring the party's decisions and repeated warnings, and pitted themselves against party nominees in the polls boycotted by major political parties.

Such bitter infighting within the AL has led to numerous incidents of violence across the country in recent weeks. Also, some chilling remarks made by the AL chairman nominees and party leaders give an indication that they would do whatever they could to bar voters, who might go against them, from exercising their franchise.

Speaking to a daily, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) President Hafizuddin Khan said, "Such activities and comments of the ruling party men are an ominous sign for democracy. Such activities could never have taken place if there was democratic practice."

He said democracy starts with an impartial election. "Turnouts in elections to local bodies have decreased and more voters will now feel insecure to go to polling centres to cast their votes after hearing such comments."

Asked about polls violence and comments by ruling party men, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar said, "This is a huge threat to democracy."

"By making such comments, they are totally ignoring the Election Commission," Mahbub said without elaborating.

Meanwhile, Kishoreganj's Bajitpur upazila AL Secretary General Abdullah Al Mamun on Friday threatened voters saying that he would use an AK-47 rifle if they don't vote for the party chairman candidate in Humaipur union parishad polls.

He issued the warning while speaking at a campaign rally for AL nominee Rafiqul Islam at Humaipur Islamia Arabia Madrasa. The 7:10-minute video clip of Mamun's speech went viral in social media.

"We will not only use AK-47, but also would do whatever is needed," the AL leader said.

"The administration is ours, so are the police and the government. Do I need to say anything more?"

Mamun later claimed that he made the remarks on AK-47 to remove fear from the party men's mind. He said he did not mean to use AK-47 rifles during the polls.

The same day, Madaripur's Kalkini upazila Jubo League Joint Secretary General Md Afzal Hossain Molla said he would carry two arms and anyone could appear before him if they dared to.

"Those who do not cast vote for 'boat' [electoral symbol of Awami League] have no right to live here," he said while addressing a campaign rally at Surjamoni Bazar in support of AL chairman candidate Mojibur Rahman in Laxmipur Union Parishad election. Afzal is a nephew of the AL candidate.

Asked about his comments, Afzal told the media that he threatened those who verbally abuse the ruling party.

On November 1, Shariatpur Sadar upazila Chairman Abul Hashem Tapadar warned that no opportunity will be given to seek votes against "boat" in the Domsar Union Parishad elections. Video footage of his speech at a rally spread on social media.

He issued the warning at a polls rally of AL candidate Mizan Mohammad Khan.

Abul Hashem later claimed that he did not make such comments and it was a propaganda against him. "Nowadays many things can be edited and circulated."

Chairman of Haldiapalang UP in Cox's Bazar's Ukhia upazila, Shah Alam, also the AL nominee for tomorrow's election, on November 1 said that there will be a list of people who will not vote for "boat" and they would not be allowed a place in the local graveyard for burial after their death.

On October 30, Masudur Rahman, youth and sports affairs secretary of Natore AL, said those who will not vote for the AL in the UP election would not be allowed to go to polling centres.

Masud was addressing a campaign rally of Omor Ali Prodhan, AL chairman nominee in Tebaria Union Parishad polls in Natore Sadar upazila.

Alamgir Hossain, returning officer of the Chitalia union parishad election in Shariatpur Sadar upazila, late last month said, "A decision has been made after discussing with the MP sir that there will be no election in the Chitalia union; everyone will be selected. Iqbal Hossain MP has said this." The lawmaker, however, later said he did not give any such decision.

Enquired about the comments by candidates and AL leaders, Election Commissioner Rafiqul islam said, "If anyone made such comments during electioneering, returning officers and executive magistrates concerned will take action. We take action after conducting investigations."

Asked if such remarks were hampering the polls atmosphere and causing fear among voters, he said, "I can't make any comments instantly without analysing the events thoroughly. If the returning officers and executive magistrates consider that, they can inform the commission regarding the matter."

Violence continued ahead of today's second phase of the union parishad polls. In most cases, supporters of AL nominees and party "rebel" candidates are getting involved in violence. Sources in the ruling party said around 690 "rebel" candidates are contesting elections tomorrow.

The absence of other major political parties in the polls, internal feud, poor chain of command within the party and nepotism in picking candidates at the grassroots are among the reasons for so many rebel candidates taking part in the polls, top AL leaders told The Daily Star.

"Many grassroots leaders, who have become rich, now hardly pay heed to party instructions. Again, opposition parties are backing the 'rebels' financially. That's why there are so many 'rebel' candidates," AL presidium member Kazi Zafarullah told  a newspaper. He said they have asked all grassroots leaders not to get involved in any clash. He warned that the party would control the "rebel" candidates strictly.

"Previously, we had accepted 'rebels' into our party. This time around, we will not accept them," he said.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury said, "Independent candidates are becoming victims of electoral violence."

Speaking ata meeting organised by EC with police and admin officials on November 4, he asked all election officials to create a level playing field for all candidates.

In the meeting, police and civil administration officials warned the commission of more polls violence in seven districts of Dhaka and Khulna divisions.

Deputy Inspector General of police (Dhaka Range) Habibur Rahman told the meeting that there were possibilities of violence in 90 unions of Dhaka division. As many as 170 unions will go to polls in the division today.