Balloting for the fourth phase polls to 838 Union Parishads in different districts is underway on Sunday. The voting started at 8am and will continue till 4pm without any break. Besides, elections to three municipalities – Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, Raipura in Narsingdi and Atghoria in Pabna—are being held. The balloting is being held through the electronic voting machines (EVM) in 33 UPs and all the three municipalities. UNB Cumilla correspondent reports that voting in 26 union parishads of three upazilas is going on peacefully  amid a festive mood. Voters were seen standing in long queues in the morning to cast their votes. READ: Uncontested elections a concern for democracy: EC Mahbub  Besides, the balloting in 15 union parishads in Bijoynagar and Akhaura upazilas of Brahmanbaria district and 21 union parishads of Birganj, Kaharol and Khansama upazilas of Dinajpur district is going on peacefully. The first, second and third phases of UP elections were marred by violence and irregularities. At least six people were killed and over 100 others injured in the 2nd phase of the Union Parishad (UP) elections held on November 11. Violence was reported from different parts of the country, including Narsingdi, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla and Chattogram. READ: 2 children fall to death from an election campaign van Three people were killed and a number of people were injured in the first phase of union parishad election that concluded with reports of sporadic violence and clashes on September 20. Two people were killed and a number of people injured in the 3rd phase of the Union Parishad (UP) elections  held on November 28.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday alleged that a festival of capturing polling stations like grabbing char land is going on in the Union Parishad (UP) elections. “The way violence is happening in the UP elections it can’t be accepted in a civilized society…an appalling situation is prevailing in rural areas due to the incidents of killing, attacks and counter-attacks,” he said. GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, came up with the allegation at a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of BPUM, a human rights organisation, at Jatiya Party Chairman's Banani office. He said the people of the country do not want to see such killings and violence in the elections. “There’re also allegations that election results are being changed somewhere.” The Jatiya Party chief said the Election Commission has completely failed to hold the UP elections in a free and fair manner. READ: ‘Entente’ behind transport sector chaos: GM Quader  “Common people are now scared to see the showdown with arms in front of the members of law enforcement agencies,” GM Quader observed. He called upon the Election Commission to take effective steps to ensure that the upcoming elections are held in a free and credible manner with a festive mood. Jatiya Party Presidium Member Fakhrul Imam, Mir Abdus Sabur Asud, Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan and Office Secretary MA Razzak Khan were, among others, present. READ: Road anarchy over bus fares must be stopped: GM Quader At least eight people were killed and over 100 others injured as the 3rd phase of UP elections were held on Sunday amid sporadic violence and irregularities.

Balloting for the third phase of the union parishad polls is underway across the country on Sunday. The voting started at 8am and will continue till 4pm without any break. More than two crore people will cast their votes at 10,159 polling stations. In the third phase election,569  candidates have already been elected unopposed. Of the uncontested candidates, 100 are in chairman posts, while 132 in reserved seats and 337 in member posts.  READ: UP elections third phase set for Sunday So, the polls will not be required against the chairman posts in the 100 UPs. Apart from the unelected candidates, some 4,500 chairman contestants are running in the election (900 UPs), 11,000 women contestants (for reserved seats) and 34,500 member contestants in the polls. The polls to the UP chairman posts are held in partisan manner, while the election to other posts – reserved seats and members posts- in non-partisan manner. Among the major political parties, Awami League and Jatiya Party are participating in the countrywide staggered UP election, but BNP is refraining to join the local body polls. In the third phase election, the highest 981 chairman candidates are being fielded by AL, while 438 chairman contestants by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and 187 by Jatiya Party. The electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in 33 UPs. READ: Law Minister attributes violence during UP elections to personal conflicts Though the Election Commission earlier announced the election schedule for 1,007 UPs, the polls to seven UPs were postponed on different grounds.

The fifth phase elections to 707 Union Parishads (UPs) in different districts will be held on January 5 as per the schedule announced by  the Election Commission. The Election Commission announced the election schedule for 707 UPs in 47 districts of the country, said Director (Public Relations) at the EC Secretariat SM Asaduzzaman on Saturday. According to the polls schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is December 07, while the date for scrutinizing the nomination papers is December 09 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 15. Also read: Will follow next polls very closely amid Bangladesh’s growing importance globally: EU In the 5th phase election, the electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in 37 UPs and the traditional ballot papers in the remaining UPs. The 707 UPs include 8 in Panchagarh district, 19 in Dinajpur, 11 in Nilphamari, 7 in Lalmonirhat, 7 in Kurigram, 16 in Gaibandha, 5 in Joypurhat, 22 in Bogura, 14 in Chapainawabganj, 23 in Naogaon, 19 in Rajshahi, 11 in Natore, 16 in Sirajganj, 15 in Pabna, 11 in Kushtia, 20 in Jhenaidah, 23 in Jashore, 16 in Satkhira, 12 in Bhola, 5 in Pirojpur, 11 in Jamalpur, 8 in Sherpur, 26 in Mymensigh, 21 in Netrakona, 13 in Tangail, 15 in Kishoreganj, 21 in Manikganj, 7 in Munshiganj, 11 in Dhaka, 8 in Gazipur, 15 in Narsingdi, 10 in Rajbari, 15 in Faridpur, 15 in Gopalganj, 2 in Madaripur, 17 in Shariatpur, 17 in Sunamganj, 18 in Sylhet, 18 in Moulvibazar, 21 in Habiganj, 19 in Brahmanbaria, 25 in Cumilla, 27 in Chandpur, 12 in Feni, 20 in Noakhali, 25 in Chattogram, 5 in Khagrachhari and 3 in Bandarban. Also read: 2nd phase of UP polls marred by violence; 6 dead

With the Supreme Court paving the way for Aushkandi union parishad polls in Habiganj, candidates vying for the chairman position are making an all-out effort to woo the electorate. The polls are slated for November 28. Four candidates are vying for the chairman's post —Awami League-backed candidate Delwar Hossain, and independent candidates Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, Abdul Hamid Nixon and Ezharul Islam. Some 20,000 people are eligible to cast their ballots in the UP polls on Sunday. READ: NSDA executive chairman visits Chevron’s Uttoron project in Sylhet, Habiganj Five residents of Dwigor Brahman, including Nishi Sutra Dhar, had filed an application with the secretary of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Ministry, seeking inclusion of their village under Khalilpur union of Moulvibazar district. After scrutiny, the deputy commissioner of the district had turned down the plea. Meanwhile, incumbent chairman of  Aushkandi UP, Muhibur Rahman Harun, adopted a resolution, seeking not to insert Dwigor Brahman village under his union. A writ petition was filed in the High Court (HC) in this regard. On February 28, the HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned as to why the inclusion of Dwigor Brahman village under Aushkandi union should not be declared illegal. Seven people, including the secretary of LGRD Minsitry, deputy commissioners of Habiganj and Moulvibazar district, were made respondents to the rule which was returnable in four weeks. In the meantime, the Election Commission announced the schedule of the UP election. On November 1, the current chairman of Aushkandi union filed a writ petition in the HC, seeking a stay order on the election under the union. The HC later asked the authorities concerned to take a final decision on demarcating the boundary of the union within 15 days. READ: 3 killed in Habiganj road crash On November 23, the HC passed a stay order on the Aushkandi union parishad election. However, on November 24, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court cleared the way for holding the election, after imposing a stay on the HC order. Delwar Hossain, an AL-backed chairman candidate, said, “A vested quarter is involved in playing a foul game over the election. The residents of Dwigor Brahman village have been casting their ballots under Aushkandi union since the Independence of the country.” Taking a stance against the SC order, Muhibur Rahman said that Dwigor Brahman village is under Sadar upazila of Moulvibazar district and the residents of the village go to Moulvibazar for land registry purposes.  "But all development activities of the village have been carried out from the budgetary allocation of Aushkandi union," he said.

BNP on Friday voiced concern over the violence in Union Parishad (UP) polls and said the government “deliberately destroyed the electoral system to hang onto power”. “Common people usually join local government polls with enthusiasm, but the government also destroyed it. Many people died in polls violence yesterday (Thursday),” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking at a discussion meeting, he also said it is unimaginable the way ruling party men were seen holding sharp weapons, pistols and sticks in the UP polls. “But the ministers are saying it’s a usual bickering. We would like to say the government is behind all these things.” The BNP leader said the government has very consciously and deliberately destroyed democracy and politics in the country. “Their main motive is not allowing anyone to do politics here and thus perpetuate their power.” Fakhrul also slammed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda for describing the UP polls as free and fair despite the widespread violence. “This gentleman (CEC) has no sense of shame.” A faction of Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club marking “civil-military uprising” on November 7, 1975. Fakhrul said US President Joe Biden has invited 100 countries to a virtual Summit for Democracy. “But it’s a matter of shame that Bangladesh’s name is not there. It means the country is now being identified as an undemocratic one. Nothing can be more unfortunate than that.” He said the current government is so vindictive that it did not allow ailing Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment. The BNP leader said the nation is going through a tough time due to the ‘misrule’ of the Awami League government. “No one is now happy. We all are now suffering from a sense of discomfort.” READ: Country under “terrible fascist aggression”: BNP He urged people of all walks of life and all political parties to get united and put up a strong resistance against the government to overcome the current situation. Raintree Hotel case verdict “disgraceful” Fakhrul expressed displeasure over the verdict in the Raintree Hotel rape case saying that the “entire woman folk has been insulted with it”. “The verdict in a case filed in connection with raping two students at Raintree Hotel was delivered yesterday (Thursday). As we see in the newspaper, the accused gave confessional statements in court. But the verdict was given acquitting them,” he said. “What’s the reason? The reason is those who were arrested and accused are powerful. They’ve so much money, Jewelry and MP…. I strongly protest it. I’m disappointed and I’m aggrieved. We can’t accept such a verdict,” the BNP leader said. READ: Control prices, BNP to govt On Thursday, the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 acquitted five youths, including Apan Jewellers owner’s son Shafat Ahmed, of the charge of raping two university students at Raintree Dhaka hotel in the capital in 2017.

At least six people were killed and over 100 others injured as the 2nd phase of union parishad (UP)  elections ended on Thursday afternoon amid sporadic violence and irregularities. Violence was reported from different parts of the country, including Narsingdi, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla and Chattogram. Three people had been killed and 30 others injured at Bashgari union in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district, hours before the voting began. The deceased were identified as Salauddin, 30, son of Hekim Mia, Jahangir, 26, son of Abdul Haque Mia and Dulala, 45, son of Hazi Siraj of Bashgari village in the upazila. The deceased were supporters of Ashraful Islam, an Awami League-backed candidate for the post of chairman in Bashgari UP. Satyajit Kumar Ghosh, assistant superintendent of police (Raipura circle), said supporters of Ashraful and Ratul Hasan Zakir, an independent candidate, attacked each other in front of Bashgari Union Parishad complex around 6 am, two hours before the beginning of the elections. The two groups fired gunshots and attacked each other with teta (a type of fish spearing), leaving three people dead and 30 others injured, he said. The injured were taken to Brahmanbaria and Narsingdi Sadar hospitals. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Read: UP polls violence leaves one dead in Cumilla UNB Cox’s Bazar correspondent reports: A man was shot dead and six others were injured in a clash between the supporters of two member candidates at Khurushkul in Sadar upazila. The deceased was identified as Akteruzzaman Putu, 35, younger brother of Sheikh Kamal, a member candidate of Khurushkul No 1 ward. Commander of Crime Prevention Specialized Company (CCPS) Major Mehedi Hasan of Rab-15 said the supporters of member candidate Babul were trying to stuff ballots during voting at Khurushkul Tetoia Government Primary School centre. But the supporters of Akterruzaman obstructed them, triggering the clash. In Cumilla, a clash broke out around 12pm between the supporters of Awami League-backed chairman candidate Zakir Hossain and independent candidate Harun-ur-Rashid over establishing dominance at Amirabad Primary School centre of Manikar union in Meghna upazila, leaving 21 people injured.

Awami League-nominated chairman candidates, including 28 unopposed contenders won in 148 Union Parishads (UP) out of 204 that went to election on Monday. Besides, 49 independent chairman contenders, 3 chairman contesters each from Jatiya Party (Ershad) and Jatiya Party-JP (Manju) and one from Islami Andolan Bangladesh were elected in the remaining UPs, according to the factsheet of the Election Commission. READ: By-election to Laxmipur-2, polls to 204 UPs, 2 municipalities underway Another major political party BNP didn’t participate in the election. The average turnout of the voters was 64.73 percent in the first phase election to 204 UPs. The highest voter turnout of 82.75 percent was in Chandradwip UP of Bauphal upazila under Patuakhali district, while the lowest voter turnout of 49.57 percent was in Binaykathi UP of Jhalokathi Sadar Upazila. READ: Bhola UP election violence leaves one dead Though the EC announced the election schedule for 204 UPs, AL’s chairman candidates were earlier elected unopposed in 28 UPs, finding no rival candidate against their respective posts. So, polls to the chairman posts were held in the remaining 176 UPs. Most of the independent chairman contenders who got elected are known as AL’s rebel candidates.

Elections and by-elections to more than 200 local bodies -- Zila Parishad, Upazila Parishad and Union Parishad — will be held on Tuesday.

The Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry has suspended a Union Parishad (UP) chairman and two UP members over irregularities in relief distribution.