Several supporters of mayoral candidates backed by Awami League (AL) and Islami Andolon Bangladesh were injured in a clash over entering a polling centre, as Barishal City Corporation election is underway today (June 12, 2023).
Islami Andolon candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, who is contesting the election with the ‘hand fan’ symbol, alleged that several of his supporters as well as he were injured in an attack by AL men when they were about to enter the Kawnia Secondary Girls School centre.
He said voters and his agents were forced to leave the Kawnia centre and Manik Miah centre.
“Activists of the AL mayoral candidate barred me from entering the Kawnia centre when I tried to lodge a complaint with the presiding officer,” the Islami Andolon candidate told UNB Barishal correspondent.
“I, along with several of my supporters, was injured in the attack,” he said.
Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates
Denying the allegation made by the Islami Andolon candidate and supporters, AL activist Biddyut said they only told them that they "should not enter the polling centre with such a big crowd."
“Rather they (Islami Andolon activists) carried out an attack on us with knives, leaving several men injured,” he said.
