The people of Sylhet were almost accustomed to seeing the disinterest of the voters in the last few elections. However, the second phase of the ongoing Union Parishad elections in Sylhet has changed that picture.
At this stage, voting ended on Thursday (November 11) in 44 centres in the division with great enthusiasm. The presence of women voters was noticeable.
Except for one or two isolated incidents, the polling went on in a festive atmosphere from 8 am to 4 pm on Thursday. There was a huge crowd of voters in every center since morning.
According to Election Commission (EC) sources, polling was completed in 44 unions of Sylhet division on Thursday. Vote counting is going on now after the casting ended. The results will be released after counting the votes.
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Police, Ansar and village police were in charge of security at every center in Sylhet during the polls. BGB was also on patrol. The Sylhet Metropolitan Police and the district police were ready to prevent any disturbance in the election. It is learned that there were 2,300 candidates in the final contest in this election. Among them 198 people have fought for the post of chairman while, 1,720 fought to become ward members and 482 were candidates for reserved ward members’ post.
According to EC sources, in Sylhet division, there were 68 candidates for the post of chairman, 520 candidates for the post of general ward member and 157 candidates for the post of reserved ward member.
In the second phase, elections were held in 4 unions of Sylhet Sadar upazila, 6 unions of Balaganj, 5 unions of Companiganj, 10 unions of Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj, 9 unions of Doarabazar, 5 unions of Ajmiriganj of Habiganj district and 5 unions of Juri upazila of Moulvibazar.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted at the polling centre of Lamagaon Talukpara Govt Primary School in Sylhet Sadar Upazila despite tight security. At that time 3 people were injured. Voting was suspended for about half an hour at the polling station.
It is learned that the clash took place between the agents of the two candidates at one stage on Thursday afternoon. During the clashes, male and female voters left the line in panic and started running in different directions.
Upon receiving the news, a team of police led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (North) Azbahar Ali went to the spot and took control of the situation.
