Dhaka – Polling at 13 centres was suspended in five upazilas during the first phase union parishad (UP) elections on Tuesday morning, UNB news agency reported.
The suspension followed an order of the Election Commission over allegations of seizing control of centres, clashes and bombing.
The centres kept out of the polling are Bhaghbah, Abhoytala and Datpur in Kumira union of Tala upazila; Alipur, Mahmudpur, Bharakhali Government Primary School and Aminia Dakhil Madrasah in Sadar; Kushodanga and Kolatupi in Kalaroa; Khejurbaria in Parulia union of Debhata and Mehedinagar, Mahjanpur and Purbakhali Government Primary School in Koikhali union of Shyamnagar upazila.
UNOs of the five upazilas confirmed the halt to balloting.
Meanwhile, snatching of ballot boxes by ‘ unidentified miscreants’ prompted the authorities to keep halted balloting at a centre in Korapur union of Barisal Sadar upazila on Tuesday morning.
Sources said around 30 minute after the polling began at the Korapur polling centre, a group of miscreants stormed the centre and snatched away a number of ballot boxes terrorising the on-duty election officials and others concerned.
The incident forced the authorities to keep the polling halted.
Meanwhile, 15 people were injured in Rahamatpur union of Babuganj upazila in a clash between supporters of BNP-bakced candidate and AL-backed candidate.
In Mehendiganj upazila, Al-backed chairman candidate Abdul Kader boycotted polls in Dharichar Khajuria union raising allegations of snatching of ballots by supporters of a rival candidate of AL.
