Activists of Awami League backed and independent chairman candidates today exploded several hundred crude bombs in seven villages of Mollakandi union of Munshiganj centring the UP election scheduled to take place on November 28.

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder has expressed concern over the loss of life and uncontested victory in the second phase of Union Parishad elections.

A Filipino woman who settled in a remote village in Phulbaria years ago was elected as a union parishad member in Thursday’s polls.

A newly-elected union parishad member was hacked to death in Gaibandah on Friday night and over 75 people were injured in electoral violence in Lamonirhat and Madaripur since Thursday night.

The numbers of candidates set to be elected unopposed and rebels from the ruling Awami League in the third phase of union parishad polls are higher than in the first two phases.   

At least 61 people have been admitted to Lalmonirhat Aditmari Upazila Health Complex in 24 hours till 10:00 pm yesterday as a result of the union parishad post-polls violence.

Four out of every ten independent candidates, mostly ruling Awami League “rebels”, won chairman posts in the second phase of union parishad election held on Thursday.

Two out of five independent candidates, mostly Awami League “rebels”, won chairman posts in the second phase of the union parishad polls on Thursday.

A man who was injured in a clash between two chairman candidates at Goga union under Sharsha upazila in Jashore on October 23, died at his house today.

Eight electronic voting machines (EVMs) which were snatched from a polling centre at the Panpatti union in Patuakhali’s Galachipa upazila, were recovered from a garden last night.

Deadly violence broke out in seven districts during yesterday’s polls to 835 union parishad as supporters of ruling Awami League nominees and those of the party “rebels” clashed, leaving at least seven people dead and 60 others injured.

Killings and violent clashes are taking place in the name of union parishad elections, as farcical polls are going on in the country, said Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman GM Quader yesterday.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said “a little bit of bickering always takes place” during Union Parishad polls.

Six people were killed and 18 were injured in separate clashes during the second phase of union parishad elections today.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said members of law enforcing agencies are working to ensure a proper and fair union parishad election.

Lawmaker and renowned folk singer Momtaz Begum visited a polling centre in Charigram union parishad today, violating the electoral code of conduct.

Two people sustained injuries when a member candidate and his followers were trying to take control of a polling centre in Chargazi union at Ramgati of Lakshmipur early today.

A man was killed and five others were injured in a clash between two chairman candidates, two hours before the election to Banshgari union parishad in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi started this morning.

Elections to 835 unions is underway in several districts of Bangladesh this morning amid incidents of clashes and arrest in Cumilla and Manikganj.

The BNP believes it has gained a lot by not taking part in the ongoing UP polls. It says the incompetence of the Election Commission has been further exposed, its activists have been spared being accused in false cases, and the ruling party’s grassroots have weakened because of bitter infighting.