Polls open in 91 UZs

Voting in 91 upazila (UZ) parishads in 43 districts began at 8am on Sunday in the 4th phase of the local government polls. The balloting opened at 8am and will continue till 4pm without any break. The Election Commission asked law enforcers, including the army, to take necessary steps to prevent possible violence and polls anomalies. Election Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mobarak, who is now performing the duty of Chief Election Commissioner, has said there will be no violence during the elections as in the previous three phases of the UZ polls. One platoon of army members was deployed on Friday in each upazila, and they will work as a striking force to maintain an election-friendly environment in the areas till Tuesday, two days after the balloting. Besides, one team of 14 security men will guard each normal polling station, while a team of 16 security men will ensure security to each vulnerable station. As many as 364 magistrates — 273 executive and 91 judicial ones — have been appointed to lead mobile courts in the election areas with a view to curbing any possible poll-related violence and violation of polls codes. A total of 1,186 candidates are contesting the polls for 273 local government posts. Of them, 389 are chairman candidates, 485 vice chairman contenders and 312 vice chairman candidates for the post set aside for women. There are 1,38,59,278 voters — 69,07,956 male and 69,51,322 female — who can exercise their franchise in 37,338 booths of 5884 polling stations. Some 1,18,000 election officials are on election duty. Of the officials, 5884 are presiding officers, 37,338 assistant presiding officers and 74,676 are polling officials. The 91 upazilas are Dhamrai in Dhaka, Pirganj in Thakurgaon, Bochaganj and Phulbari in Dinajpur, Panchbibi in Joypurhat, Gabtoli in Bogra, Tanore, Bagmara and Puthia in Rajshahi, Baraigram in Natore, Chowhali in Sirajganj, Ishwardi and Faridpur in Pabna, Narail Sadar, Daulatpur in Kushtia, Jibannagar in Chuadanga, Harinakunda in Jhenidah, Jessore Sadar and Keshabpur in Jessore, Chitalmari and Mollahat in Bagerhat, Terokhada, Rupsha, Batiaghata, Dacope and Fultala in Khulna, and Kalaroa in Satkhira. The upazilas also include Betagi in Barguna, Patuakhali Sadar, Dumki, Bauphal, Golachipa and Mirzaganj in Patuakhali, Tazumuddin, Daulatkhan and Manpura in Bhola, Agailjhara, Ujirpur and Banaripara in Barisal, Jhalakati Sadar, Kathalia, Rajapur and Nalchhity in Jhalakati, Bhandaria, Pirojpur Sadar, Mathbaria and Zianagar in Pirojpur, Kalihati, Madhupur, Nagarpur and Bhuapur in Tangail, Nalitabari in Sherpur, Haluaghat in Mymensingh, Madan in Netrakona, Bhairab, Itna, Katiadi, Mithamoin and Tarail in Kishoreganj, Gazaria in Munshiganj, Kaliakair in Gazipur, Shalla and Dharmapasha in Sunamganj, Sylhet Sadar and Kanaighat in Sylhet, Sreemongal, Sadar and Kamalganj in Moulvibazar, Habiganj Sadar, Nabiganj, Azmiriganj and Lakhai in Habiganj, Akhaura and Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria, Meghna and Barua in Comilla, Sharwasti in Chandpur, Sonagazi and Fulgazi in Feni, Begumganj in Noakhali, Banshkhali, Rauzan, Fatikchhari, Rangunia, Boalkhali, Satkania and Anwara in Chittagong, Ramu and Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar, Zurachhari in Rangamati, and Naikhanchhari in Bandarban, according to a news agency.