Fourth phase of UP polls underway in 107 Upazilas

The fourth phase of Upazila Parishad elections in 107 Upazilas began Sunday morning with tight security measures in polling centers.

Poll booths opened for voters at 8am and will continue till 4pm without any break.

The Election Commission expects over 2.55 crore votes in 9,740 centres during the UP elections.

The election that began on March 10 and would be conducted in 480 upazilas in five phases this year is boycotted by the BNP and several other parties. The fifth phase of the polls has not been scheduled yet.

The first three phases of the polls were held on March 10, March 18 and March 24 respectively, in 78, 116 and 117 upazilas.

Political parties nominated their candidates for the first time in UP polls this time but it was dealt in the past through formal or informal support from larger parties.

Election Commission sources said two platoons of BGB were deployed in all the 107 upazilas during the fourth phase of the election. Besides, two to three additional platoons were deployed in 48 upazilas.

SM Asaduzzaman, EC joint secretary and director (public relations), yesterday said they had taken preparation for a free and fair election.

According to the EC officials, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used in six upazilas – Patuakhali Sadar, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Begherhat Sadar, Mymensingh Sadar, Munshiganj Sadar and Feni Sadar.