The first phase of the upazila parishad elections was held peacefully across the nation, says Election Commission (EC) secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed.
“First phase of the fifth upazila parishad elections was held in a peaceful and credible manner,” he told a press conference at the media centre of Nirbachan Bhaban on Sunday.
Voting was held in 78 upazilas of 12 districts till 4pm.
The voting started at 8am in a festive mood and continued peacefully till 4pm uninterruptedly, with the spontaneous participation of voters.
Today was a general holiday in the respective upazilas on the occasion of the local body elections.
Restrictions on vehicular movements were imposed in the electoral areas while additional law enforcement agencies have been deployed for five days, including two days before and two days after the election, as well as voting day.
A total of 14 members of law enforcement agencies were deployed in every general polling centre while 16 were deployed at the risky polling centers.
Although the EC declared an election schedule for 87 upazilas in the first phase, polls were held in 78 upazilas today. Voting was not held in 10 upazilas due to different reasons.
In the first phase of the upazila parishad elections, a total of 29 candidates, including 16 chairmen, six vice-chairmen and seven women vice-chairmen, so far have been elected unopposed.
About 894 aspirants, including 273 for chairman, 406 for vice-chairman, and 273 for women vice-chairman posts, contested in the first phase of polls.