Former BCL GS injured

The fourth phase of Union Parishad (UP) polls took place in 838 unions across Bangladesh on Sunday amid some stray incidents and irregularities. Bangladesh Chhatra League's former general secretary Golam Rabbani was attacked and injured by a group of miscreants at a polling centre at Rajoir upazila of Madaripur on Sunday. The incident happened at the Gangkandi Government Primary School polling centre in Eshibpur union around 2:30 pm. 

"Rabbani was taken to Rajoir Upazila Health Complex and was given treatment there. His condition is better now," said the Upazila Family Planning Officer Pradeep Chandra Mandal. According to witnesses, Rabbani's maternal uncle Salah Uddin Ahmed was contesting as an independent chairman candidate in the Eshibpur UP election. Rabbani tried to enter the polling centre this afternoon as he heard that supporters of another chairman candidate Mosharaf Mollah were trying to rig votes in the centre, they said.

When he protested against casting fake votes, they chased him and slashed his hand with a knife leaving him injured, said witnesses. Police rescued Rabbani from the crowd and sent him to the upazila health complex, they added. Talking to journalists, Rabbani said he along with some people went to the polling station as followers of chairman candidate Mosharaf Mollah was trying to cast vote openly.

"As I was trying to find out what was happening, they (followers of Mosharaf) attacked me and cut my hand. I will file a complaint about this," he said. 

"Local people chased Golam Rabbani as he tried to enter a polling centre," said Iftekhar Ahmed, sub-inspector of Rajoir Police Station. On information, a police team rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, the police officer told our Faridpur correspondent. Sheikh Sadik, officer-in-charge of Rajoir Police Station, said there was a clash between two groups when Rabbani went to the polling centre. During the clash, he was attacked and injured by rivals. Rabbani suffered cuts in three fingers of his right hand in the attack while seven other people from both the groups were injured at the time, reports our Shariatpur correspondent quoting the OC.

Meanwhile, voting continued from 8am to 4pm at 9,224 centres.  Additional forces have been deployed to the polling centres and surrounding areas across the country to avoid violent incidents that marred the previous phases of UP polls.  As many as 295 candidates have been elected unopposed. Among them, 48 are chairman, 112 are reserved seat candidates and 135 are general members.  A total of 43,433 candidates contested for seats in the fourth phase of the local polls.

The voting held using electronic voting machines (EVM) in 33 UPs and all the three municipalities, reports UNB. Voting in 26 union parishads of three upazilas ended peacefully amid a festive mood. Voters were seen standing in long queues in the morning, waiting to cast their votes.

Besides, voting in 15 union parishads in Bijoynagar and Akhaura upazilas of Brahmanbaria district and 21 union parishads of Birganj, Kaharol and Khansama upazilas of Dinajpur was also peaceful. The first, second and third phases of the UP elections were marred by violence and irregularities. At least six people were killed and over 100 others were injured in the second phase of UP elections held on November 11, reports UNB. Violence was reported from different parts of the country, including Narsingdi, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla and Chattogram. Three people were killed and a number of people were injured in the first phase of UP polls that concluded with reports of sporadic violence and clashes on September 20. Two people were killed and a number of people were injured in the third phase of UP elections held on November 28. The first phase of UP polls was held on June 21 and September, second phase on November 11 and third phase on November 28.