The Election Commission has said free, fair and peaceful polls were in progress at Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal city corporation polls.But Election Commission Secretary Mohammad Sadiq has promised that the commission will look into the allegations raised by the BNP the voting on Saturday.
Voting began in the four cities simultaneously from 8:00am and is expected to run until 4:00pm.
BNP leaders visited the Dhaka Election Commission office around midday and said one of their polling agent was thrown out of Barisal poll centre and intimidation by Awami League in another at Khulna.
They also objected to RAB personnel checking national IDs in Sylhet.
“We are looking into the allegations. No polling agents have been thrown out in Barisal, no one has been threatened in Khulna,” the EC Secretary said citing local Returning Officers.
There is no need for national IDs during City Corporation polls, he said. “The list in polling centres contain photos of voters. Agents outside only have names, no photos.”
While briefing media, Sadiq said there was ten percent polling taking place per hour.
Until 11:00am, 28 percent of votes were cast in Rajshahi, 29 percent in Khulna, 35 percent in Barisal and 32 percent in Sylhet.
The official hoped of an 80 percent turnout on an average.
“During the 2008 city polls, these four cities registered almost 80 percent turnout rate.”
Meanwhile, a BNP delegation visited the Dhaka Election office with complaints that the polls were being influenced.
EC Secretary or an Election Commissioner could not be seen at the office until 10.00am on a day the four City Corporation polls were taking place.
BNP leaders raised the issue as well.
It was Additional Secretary Sirajul Islam who was seen in action all morning.
However, officials said that Election Commissioners were at home.
After 10:15am, Secretary Mohammad Sadiq arrived at the office and the Election Commissioners followed.
They said, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad was ill.
(Source: bdnews24.com)
