Escalation of violence and violation of electoral code of conduct across the country have marked the scenario ahead of the third phase of upazila parishad elections.
A total of 81 upazilas will go to the polls on March 15.
As the BNP-Jamaat-backed candidates led the last two phases of the elections, the ruling Awami League has been trying hard to make its candidates win in the next phase. The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have also been trying to keep on winning the victory.
Election related violence slightly increased compared to the last two phases, but the Election Commission was yet to take any measures to combat violence and create a congenial atmosphere for voters. The EC only suspended polling in an upazila due to violence.
Stray incidents of violence had also marked the first phase while one person was killed in the second phase of the upazila polls. But one person has already been killed ahead of the third phase prompting the EC to postpone voting in the upazila.
The Awami League tried to ensure win of single candidates in more seats failed in at least 50 seats.
The BNP-Jamaat coalition also failed to manage its rebel candidates. Candidates of both the Awami League and the BNP and rebels were busy carrying out last moment polls campaign with allegations and counter allegations of violation of electoral code of conduct. The polls campaign will end tonight.
Although the EC was thinking of sending letters to the political parties, especially the ruling party ministers and MPs, asking them not to influence the local body polls, it did not as of yesterday, a senior EC official told the Dhaka Tribune seeking anonymity.
The commission observed that most incidents of violence occurred in areas where there were ministers and MPs.
“We are keeping watch on the situation. The commission asked the authorities concerned to take stern action against anyone violating electoral laws and to keep an eye on the situation,” Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
About writing to the political parties, he said the EC would observe the third phase of polls and then make a decision on this. Meanwhile, the EC postponed the election in Shreepur upazila of Gazipur as violence flared up in the upazila. The High Court also stayed the polls in Fenchuganj upazila.
At least 15 Awami League activists were injured in attacks by the supporters of BNP-backed candidate in Fulgazi upazila of Feni. The attackers vandalised the election office of the Awami League-backed candidate and set fire to two cars.
Army and other law enforcement agencies, including Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, police and Ansar, would be deployed from today in the upazilas to maintain law and order during the polls.
A total of 1,119 candidates are contesting the polls in 81 upazilas. Of them, 419 are vying for chairman posts, 423 for vice-chairman posts, and 277 for women vice-chairman posts.
A total of 76,216 law enforcers will be deployed in 5,444 polling stations in 81 upazilas where 35,331 polling booths have been set up. A total of 13,185,013 voters — 66,00,131 male and 65,67,832 female will cast their votes in the polls.