Voting concludes in 3rd phase UP polls

Voting has concluded in 87 upazilas for the third phase of sixth Upazila Parishad Election. Polling had begun at 8am, and continued till 4pm without any break.

UNB’s Cumilla correspondent reported that voting was peaceful in Muradnagar, Debidwar, Burichang, and Brahmanpara upazilas of the district.

Although the turnout of voters had been thin in the morning, their presence increased throughout the day. No untoward incidents centring the polls were reported till filing this report.

A total of 1,196 candidates are in the electoral race for 261 posts of 87 Upazila Parishad.They include 397 chairman contenders, 456 vice chairman and 299 women (reserved) vice chairman contestants.

Electronic voting machines are being used at 16 upazilas under seven districts, while traditional ballot papers are being used in the rest.

A security team of 17-19 members would guard each polling station in the plain districts, while a security team of 19-21 members would protect a polling station in the Chittagong hill tracts and very remote areas.

The first phase of the polls was held in 139 upazila parishads under 59 districts on May 8, while the second phase was held in 156 upazilas under May 21. The 4th phase of the election in over 50 upazilas will be held on June 5.