Balloting in the elections to some 1,000 union councils is underway in the third phase of the countrywide elections to the lowest tier of the local government.
Polls opened at over 10,000 voting centres from 8am and continue until 4pm. More than 20 million people are expected to choose their representatives from the over 50,000 aspirants.
Violence have marred the elections as more than three dozen people have been killed during the polls so far.
At least 45 people were killed and several hundred injured, during and after the first two phases of the polls.
Nine were killed ahead of the third phase, and 30 in pre- and post-polls violence centring the second phase held on November 11.
Six people died in the first phase, held in two parts on June 21 and September 21, according to the media reports.
In the third phase election on Sunday, 569 candidates have already been elected unopposed.
Of the uncontested candidates, 100 are in chairman posts, while 132 in reserved seats and 337 in member posts. So, the polls will not be required against the chairman posts in the 100 UPs.
As many as 569 people have already been elected without contest
Balloting in the elections to some 1,000 union councils is underway in the third phase of the countrywide elections to the lowest tier of the local government.
Polls opened at over 10,000 voting centres from 8am and continue until 4pm. More than 20 million people are expected to choose their representatives from the over 50,000 aspirants.
Violence have marred the elections as more than three dozen people have been killed during the polls so far.
At least 45 people were killed and several hundred injured, during and after the first two phases of the polls.
People stand in queues to exercise their franchise at a polling centre in Pabna during the third phase of the countrywide elections to union councils on Sunday, November 28, 2021 Dhaka Tribune
Nine were killed ahead of the third phase, and 30 in pre- and post-polls violence centring the second phase held on November 11.
Six people died in the first phase, held in two parts on June 21 and September 21, according to the media reports.
In the third phase election on Sunday, 569 candidates have already been elected unopposed.
Of the uncontested candidates, 100 are in chairman posts, while 132 in reserved seats and 337 in member posts. So, the polls will not be required against the chairman posts in the 100 UPs.
Also read - Voting in fifth phase of Union Parishad elections on January 5
Apart from the unelected candidates, some 4,500 chairman contestants are running in the election (900 UPs), 11,000 women contestants (for reserved seats) and 34,500 member contestants in the polls.
The polls to the UP chairman posts are held in party lines, while the elections to other posts – reserved seats and members’ posts- in non-partisan manner.
Among the major political parties, Awami League and Jatiya Party are participating in the countrywide staggered UP election, but BNP is refraining to join the local body polls.
In the third phase election, the highest 981 chairman candidates are being fielded by AL, while 438 chairman contestants by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and 187 by Jatiya Party.
The electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in 33 UPs.
Though the Election Commission earlier announced the election schedule for 1,007 UPs, the polls to seven UPs were postponed on different grounds.
The first phase of the union council elections was held on two days - June 21 and September 20 - and the second phase was held on November 11.
Voting will take place on December 26 in the fourth phase and on January 5 in the fifth phase.
