IPO DiaryBhola-3 by-election marred by scattered clashes, casting of fake votes
Sunday, 25 April 2010
BHOLA, Apr 24 (UNB): Polling in Bhola-3 by-elections ended Saturday amidst opposition BNP's demand to scrap the election, which they described as farcical.
The Election Commission (EC) suspended voting at nine polling centers following violence.
Witnesses said the election from 8.00am to 4.00pm was marred by scattered clashes, casting of fake votes and dragging out of BNP polling agents from many centers.
BNP Candidate Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who cast his vote in Lalmohan High School center at 8:30am, alleged that 40 polling centres were captured by Awami League workers forcibly evicting his agents.
Written complaints were lodged with the Election Commission official, he said.
"This is a farcical election," Hafiz said, claiming that his agents were not allowed to enter the polling centers in Farashganj Union, Charbhota Union, Badarganj Union and Kalma Union.
He also alleged that the ruling party terrorists blocked the roads preventing his agents from entering the polling centres. "Despite complaints, RAB did not take any action," the BNP candidate said.
BNP leader MK Anwar told the media that Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda admitted that BNP election agents were absent from 37 polling centers. The CEC said the BNP agents were not recognized as they could not produce their identity cards.
MK Anwar argued that if the polling agents had appointment letters from the candidate they did not need any extra identity cards.
Awami League senior joint secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif at a post-election press conference at the party's Dhanmondi office claimed that the election was fair and peaceful, saying that BNP's allegation of vote rigging is part of a conspiracy.
About 60 per cent voters cast their votes, he said, adding that despite provocations, the AL showed tolerance.
Polling was suspended at Lalmohon Public Library centre and its adjacent Mohila College, Mohesh-khali Ashrafia Government Primary School, Doctor Azhar Uddin Registered Primary School, Kishoreganj Government Primary School, Lord Hardinge Fazil Madrasah, Bheduria Sirajia Senior Madrasah, Uttar Annada Prasad Government Primary School, Syedabad Forkania Madrasah and Satani Government Primary and Secondary School.
The Election Commission (EC) suspended voting at nine polling centers following violence.
Witnesses said the election from 8.00am to 4.00pm was marred by scattered clashes, casting of fake votes and dragging out of BNP polling agents from many centers.
BNP Candidate Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who cast his vote in Lalmohan High School center at 8:30am, alleged that 40 polling centres were captured by Awami League workers forcibly evicting his agents.
Written complaints were lodged with the Election Commission official, he said.
"This is a farcical election," Hafiz said, claiming that his agents were not allowed to enter the polling centers in Farashganj Union, Charbhota Union, Badarganj Union and Kalma Union.
He also alleged that the ruling party terrorists blocked the roads preventing his agents from entering the polling centres. "Despite complaints, RAB did not take any action," the BNP candidate said.
BNP leader MK Anwar told the media that Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda admitted that BNP election agents were absent from 37 polling centers. The CEC said the BNP agents were not recognized as they could not produce their identity cards.
MK Anwar argued that if the polling agents had appointment letters from the candidate they did not need any extra identity cards.
Awami League senior joint secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif at a post-election press conference at the party's Dhanmondi office claimed that the election was fair and peaceful, saying that BNP's allegation of vote rigging is part of a conspiracy.
About 60 per cent voters cast their votes, he said, adding that despite provocations, the AL showed tolerance.
Polling was suspended at Lalmohon Public Library centre and its adjacent Mohila College, Mohesh-khali Ashrafia Government Primary School, Doctor Azhar Uddin Registered Primary School, Kishoreganj Government Primary School, Lord Hardinge Fazil Madrasah, Bheduria Sirajia Senior Madrasah, Uttar Annada Prasad Government Primary School, Syedabad Forkania Madrasah and Satani Government Primary and Secondary School.