The third phase election to 62 municipalities began across the country today amid report of violence in Jhenidah.
Voting started at 8:00 am and will continue till 4:00 pm.
In Jhenidah, a man was injured during a clash between the supporters of Awami league backed mayoral candidate of Harinakundu municipality Faruk Hossain and rebel candidate Saiful Islam Tipu at Mandartola-Jora Pukuria centre.
The injured was identified as Sagar Hossain (38). Supporters of the candidates also ransacked two ballot boxes at the centre during the clash that ensued around 11:00am.
Police had to fire blanks to bring the situation under control, said Abdur Rahim Mollah, officer-in-charge of Harinakundu Police Station.
Returning officer Md Rokonuzzaman told The Daily Star that voting was suspended for half an hour. However, voting at Kotchandpur municipality is going on peacefully.
In Munshiganj, Ansar members barred two journalists, including our local correspondent, from entering a room at Munshiganj High School polling centre, saying that they will need special permission. When they tried to talk to the presiding officer of the centre Jahangir Alam, he said he was busy and had no time to talk to media.
In Natore, presence of voters, especially women, was noticeable as voting started in Singra municipality.
No untoward incident occurred in the municipality till filing of this report.
In Pirojpur, voting in Swarupkathi municipality is going on peacefully.
Voters were seen standing in long lines at the polling centres braving the cold.
In Bagerhat, the presence of female voters was notable in Morelganj municipality.
While visiting Azizia Memorial Secondary Centre, our correspondent found women standing in long queues.
A total of 815 women, out of 1,615 voters, are expected to cast their votes at the centre.
In Chapainawabganj, people were set to cast votes in Rohonpur municipality in a festive mood.
The Election Commission (EC) is conducting the polls in five phases. Today marks the third phase of it.
The battle of ballots is expected to be held between two arch-rival political parties -- the Awami League and the BNP -- although candidates of other political parties including Jatiya Party and Islami Andolan Bangladesh are contesting in it.
A total of 229 people are running for mayoral posts at the 62 municipalities in 36 districts.
There are 2,360 councillor candidates and 755 women's reserve seat candidates.
Fifty-six municipalities will go for election on February 14 in the fourth phase. Of them, EVM will be used in 31 municipalities.
Elections to 31 municipalities will be held in the fifth phase on February 28, using EVM.
mj/
