The degree of clashes, irregularities, allegations and counter-allegations was higher in the second phase of upazila election than the first phase, election-observing body Brotee has said.
“Overall, the quality of the election was low in standard,” the organisation added in its monitoring report.
Brotee made the observations in a report titled “Primary Report on the Upazila Election Second Phase,” in which it said 300 Brotee observers monitored the election in 23 upazilas, with polls being held in 115 upazilas for the second phase.
Although sufficient law enforcers were deployed at the voting centres, the election was marked by sporadic clashes, irregularities, the postponing of voting in some centres, and allegations and counter-allegations. In some centres, political activists attacked law enforcers, the report added.
Such occurrences take place because of over politicisation of the polling centres, the report by Brotee observed.
The report also said there were allegations against Awami League activists of vote rigging in several centres, but added that Brotee was unable to confirm those claims.
The report mentioned that the Election Commission had taken immediate steps in some cases, including the cancellation of a presiding officer in Karnakathi upazila in Barisal, the arrest of three people in Lalpur and fines for two youths in Magura.
The report said the average voter turnout in the monitored centres was 54-58%. The presence of women voters and minority communities’ voters was spontaneous and significant, it added.