Meet winners in Upazila polls

The BNP-blessed chairman candidates have taken a lead in the first phase election battle in the 97 Upazila Parishads held on Wednesday, reports UNB.

According to unofficial results, the BNP-supported chairman candidates won elections in 42 Upazilas while the Awami League-backed candidates in 33 and the pro-Jamaat ones in 12 Upazilas.

The polls results of 96 Upazila Parishads out of 97 were announced unofficially, while the complete results of Ullapara Upazila Parishad could not be declared as voting in two polling stations were postponed.

The BNP-backed chairman candidates won the polls in Atoyari Upazila in Panchagar, Khanshama and Kaharol in Dinajpur, Ulipur and Phulbari in Kurigram, Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, Sariakandi and Sonatala in Bogra, Mohadevpur and Raninagar in Noagaon, Mohanpur in Rajshahi, Singra in Manikganj, Royganj in Sirajganj, Meherpur Sadar, Kushtia Sadar and Bheramara in Kushtia, Jhenidah Sadar, Abhaynagar in Jessore, Magura Sadar and Sreepur in Magura, Jamalpur Sadar and Sarishabari in Jamalpur, Kendua in Netrakona, Karimganj in Kishoreganj, Daulatpur, Singair, Saturia and Shibalaya in Manikganj, Dohar and Nababganj in Dhaka, Kapasia of Gazipur, Belabo in Narsingdi, Rajbari Sadar, Bhedarganj of Shariatpur, Goainghat, Biswanath and Jakiganj in Sylhet, Madhabpur in Habiganj, Mirsarai and Hathazari in Chittagong, Matiranga and Ramgar in Khagrachhari.

The AL-supported candidates won the election in Panchagar Sadar and Debiganj Upazilas in Panchagar district, Dimla and Syedpur in Nilphamari, Bhurungamari Upazila of Kurigram, Nachol of Chapainawabganj, Kazipur and Sadar Upazilas in Sirajganj, Sujanagar in Pabna, Kaliganj and Shailakupa in Jhenidah, Kalia in Narail, Dighilia in Khulna, Ashasuni of Satkhira, Lalmohan of Bhola, Bakerganj and Gournadi in Barisal, Durgapur in Netrakona, Nikli and Bajitpur in Kishoreganj, Palash in Narsingdi, Pangsha and Baliakandi in Rajbari, Jajira, Damudya and Goshairhat in Shariatpur, Dakkhin Sunamganj, Doarabazar and Chhatak Upazilas of Sunamganj, Companyganj of Sylhet, Kulaura in Molvibazar, Bahubal of Habiganj, and Manikchhari in Khagrachhari.

The Jamaat-blessed chairman contenders won in Boda Upazila in Panchagar, Jaldhaka in Nilphamari, Mithapukur in Rangpur, Dupchanchia in Sherpur and Nandigram Upazila in Bogra, Sathia and Atgharia in Pabna, Kotchandpur in Jhenidah, Koira in Khulna, and Golapganj and Jaintapur Upazilas in Sylhet.

Besides, three AL-minded candidates (known as AL rebel runners) were unofficially elected in Kashiani and Maksudpur Upazilas in Gopalganj, and Kalkini Upazila in Madaripur, while a BNP-minded chairman candidate (known as BNP rebel) was elected in Dhunat Upazila in Bogra.

Two independent chairman candidates won in Taraganj in Rangpur and Khagrachhari Sadar, while lone Jatiya party-backed chairman candidate in Saghata in Gaibandha, one UPDF-backed candidate in Panchhari and one JSS-supported candidate in Mahalchhari in Khagrachhari.

In Ullapara Upazila of Sirajganj, there are 7325 voters in the stations, which is greater than the vote margin between the two frontrunner chairman candidates. AL-supported candidate Maruf Bin Habib took lead bagging 86687 votes, while his nearest rival candidate BNP-backed Shamsul Haque polled 83976 votes.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Thursday predicted the voter turnout in the 97 upazilas might be 62-65 per cent.

"Statistics of some upazilas have not yet reached the Election Commission. But we can unofficially say that some 62-65 per cent votes were cast in the election (Wednesday)," he told reporters during announcement of schedule of the fifth phase upazila election at the Election Commission secretariat.

Earlier on Wednesday, the CEC said the first phase elections in 97 Upazila Parishads were held in a free and peaceful manner except a few minor incidents.

The EC arranged the voting in the 97 Upazilas of the country's 40 districts on Wednesday.