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At least 6 dead in Bangladesh's poll violence

Xinhua, May 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

The 4th phase polls of Bangladesh's lowest tier of local government have once again marred by sporadic violence, leaving at least 6 dead as of Saturday night.

Stray incidents of clash, arson, vandalism, explosion of hand bombs, chase and counter-chase and firing were reported in many of the 703 unions that went to the polls on Saturday in 47 districts.

Some 17 political parties took part in the 4th phase of the first-ever partisan local government body polls .

At least three deaths have been reported on Saturday night in Rajshahi district, some 256 km northwest of capital Dhaka, due to the firing by law enforcers and the incidents of clashes between supporters of rival candidates.

Also due to the incidents of clashes between supporters of rival candidates, three more people were killed and hundreds of others injured in northwestern Thakurgaon district and Comilla and Norsingdi districts in eastern Bangladesh on Saturday.

Police was not immediately available to confirm the deaths.

Saturday's poll violence also reportedly left hundreds of people including officials and law enforcers injured.

Sources said supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party candidates, and rival ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates mainly clashed in parts of the country.

The previous phases of the elections were also marred by clashes and irregularities.

Dozens of people were killed and several thousand injured in violence over the previous three phases of the elections since March this year.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed told journalists at a post-polls press conference in Dhaka Saturday evening that despite the violence and irregularities, the 4th phase voting was more free, fair and peaceful.

He, however, expressed the hope that the next two phases of the polls will be held in more peaceful manner.

Hasina's ruling AL also claimed that the voting was free and fair, but BNP claimed of widespread rigging.

Law enforcement agencies reportedly detained at least five presiding officers and seven assistant presiding officers for their alleged involvement in irregularities and negligence in their duties during the polls.

Experts said Hasina and her arch rival two-time former Prime Minister Khaleda will assess their support in the local body elections ahead of the 2019 national elections which are thought to be an acid test for both ruling and opposition parties.

They said polls will reflect the popularity of the two major parties, which alternately ruled Bangladesh since 1991. Endit