Four people have been shot during a clash between supporters of rival candidates in the upazila parishad polls at a voting centre in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The incident occurred around 9am at Mognama Government Primary School, an hour after voting began for 117 upazila parishads on Sunday.
The injured persons are Abul Hossain, Sadek, Bodi and Romiz. All of them hail from the area.
However, following the incident the situation at the voting centre was quickly brought under control by law enforcers.
Locals alleged that a clash had broken out between supporters of independent candidate Jahangir Alam and local chairman Shorafat Ullah Washim after the latter tried to rig votes in favor of the ruling party chairman candidate.
At point of the clash, supporters started shooting at each other, leaving four people wounded with bullets. They were admitted to local hospital.
The centre’s Presiding Officer Osman Goni said: “The centre is in a risky condition as several shooting incidents have taken place outside. The incident discouraged voters from appearing at the centre to vote. I have informed about the matter to the higher official concerned.”
Confirming the matter, Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Iqbal Hossain said: “Several people have been shot in a clash involving a chase and counter-chase between rival supporters. However, on information, police quickly rushed to the spot and contained the situation. Now voters are casting their ballots at that centre in a festive manner.”
Voting in elections for 117 upazila parishads is underway in the third phase of the local body polls.
The balloting that began at 8am on Sunday will continue till 4pm without any break.
A total of 11,887,751 voters will be able to exercise their voting rights at 9,298 polling stations in these elections.
