BNP takes lead in first phase of UZ 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.
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," he told reporters replying to a query 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.