Seven persons, including a minor boy and a Dhaka University student, were killed in violence during the second phase of union parishad elections in different parts of the country while sporadic clashes left many injured.
The victims are Shubho, 10, of Keraniganj area in Dhaka, Rafiqul Islam, 50, of Jamalpur, Sanaullah, 26, Md Ibrahim, 25, and Jamal, 50, of Chittagong, food vendor Mujibur Rahman Bishey of Jessore, and Sujan Mridha, 22, of Madaripur.
Shubho sustained bullet injuries when two rival candidates fired at each other, and died on the way to hospital.
Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abul Bashar Md Fakhruzzaman said: “The incident took place at Madhuchar Government Primary School centre in Hazratpur union around 10:30am.”
In Jamalpur, 50-year-old Rafiqul Islam died in a clash between the supporters of two candidates in Melandaha upazila.
Supporters of Marjina Begum, reserved-seat female candidate, clashed with those of member candidate Wahed Ali at Uttar Baluchar Government Primary School centre in the upazila's Shyampur union.
Rafiqul died after he was hit by bricks hurled during the clash but Officer-in-Charge of Melandaha police station Nasimul Islam said the man died after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Sanaullah, Ibrahim and Jamal were killed in violence in the last hour of voting at Bauria union in Chittagong's Sandwip upazila.
Executive Magistrate of the upazila Md Obaidur Rahman said the three died in a clash between the supporters of two candidates who attempted to occupy Char Bawria Government Primary School centre.
He said at least five others, including a police constable, sustained bullet wounds in the clash that broke out around 3:45pm.
The sixth victim, food seller Mujibur, was killed in violence in Jessore's Chachra union.
Ali Ahmed Hashmi, officer-in-charge of the Detective Branch of police in Jessore, said bombs were hurled in front of the polling centre at Bhaturia Government Primary School around 11am when Mujibur was selling food there.
“He was injured in the blast and was pronounced dead after he was taken Jessore 250-bed Hospital.”
But locals claimed Mujibur was hit by a bullet in the head when police fired shots after the explosion outside the polling station.
Abdullah Al-Mamun, a doctor at the hospital, said: “There was a bullet wound in Mujibur’s head while he had several splinters of bomb in other parts of his body.”
Following the incident, Presiding Officer of the centre Md Selim postponed voting.
In Madaripur, Dhaka University student Sujan died when police fired on the supporters of two member candidates to break up a clash.
Police said the clash broke out in the evening between the supporters of Dhurail union contestants Abdul Motaleb Mridha and Aiyub Ali Fakir when results of a centre were to be announced.
Sujan sustained bullet injuries when police charged batons and fired shots to bring the situation under control. He was taken to Madaripur Sadar Hospital where he died around 8pm.
But Sarwar Hossain, superintendent of police in Madaripur, said police fired no shots and the reason for Sujan’s death could not be confirmed without investigation.
Eight people were killed in violence during the first phase of union parishad elections on March 22.
Journalist shot
A journalist was shot during a clash between the supporters of two chairmen candidates outside Rajapur Government Primary School centre in Bhola’s Rajapur union.
Afzal Hossain, NTV correspondent in Bhola, sustained bullet injuries in the leg and was admitted to Bhola Sadar Hospital, said Khairul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Bhola police station.
He said at least 20 people were injured when police opened fire to calm two groups who clashed with each other near another polling station.
Also, BNP-backed candidate Md Siraj Uddin boycotted Purba Ilisha union elections alleging vote rigging.
Voting at 10 polling stations in Chandpur was suspended following massive anomalies, including beating of presiding officer, occupation of centres and casting of fake votes.
Law enforcers fired at least 130 rounds to bring the situation under control. Two Ansar members and a police official were injured when shots were fired, according to local election office sources.
In Natore, 10 people were injured in clashes among supporters of candidates.