UZ polls: BNP takes lead in 2nd phase too

BNP 51, AL 43, Jamaat 8, others 9

In the second phase upazila elections that were held on Thursday amid sporadic violence at different parts of the country, BNP favourites took lead again bagging 51 chairman posts while its arch rival Awami League candidates got 43.   According to unofficial results, candidates loyal to Jamaat-e-Islami, an ally of BNP, took eight chairman posts out of 111.   In the first phase election in 98 upazilas on February 19 and 24, BNP-blessed chairman candidates won in 44, while Awami League-backed candidates in 34 and Jamaat-supported candidates in 12 upazilas.   With the latest results, the candidates loyal to BNP take the total number of their chairman post winners to 95 while that of Awami League to 77 and Jamaat to 20.   In Thursday’s elections, AL-supported chairman candidates won in Baliadangi of Thakurgaon, Patgram and Hatibandha of Lalmonirhat, Birganj and Birampur of Dinajpur, Badarganj in Rangpur, Rajibpur of Kurigram, Kalai of Joypurhat, Atrai, Neyamatpur and Sapahar of Naogaon, Natore Sadar, Sakhipur of Tangail, Mirpur, Kumarkhali and Khoksa of Kushtia, Sharsha and Chowgachha of Jessore, Kachua of Bagerhat, Borhanuddin and Charfashion of Bhola, Barisal sadar, Boalmari of Faridpur, Sadar and Kotalipara of Gopalganj, Rajoir and Shibchar of Madaripur, Purbadhola and Kalmakanda of Netrakona, Melandah of Jamalpur, Bhaluka and Iswarganj of Mymensingh, Munshiganj sadar, Keraniganj of Dhaka, Chunarughat of Habiganj, Matlab Uttar, Matlab Dakkhin and Faridganj of Chandpur, Parshuram and Sadar of Feni and Companyganj, Chatkhil and Kabirhat of Noakhali.   On the other hand, BNP-backed chairman contenders took Tentulia of Panchagar, Ranishankail of Thakurgaon, Ghoraghat of Dinajpur, Nageshwari and Rajarhat of Kurigram, Khetlal and Sadar of Joypurhat, Gomastapur of Chapainawabganj, Chatmahar of Pabna, Patnitola, Badalgachhi and Sadar of Naogaon, Bagatipara, Gurudashpur and Lalpur of Natore, Mujibnagar and Gangni of Meherpur, Dumuria of Khulna, Kawkhali and Najirpur of Pirojpur, Jikargachha and Bagharpara of Jessore, Jhenaigati of Sherpur, Barhatta of Netrakona, Nagarkandi and Saltha of Faridpur, Adamdighi and Shahjahanpur of Bogra, Mohammadpur and Salika of Magura, Mymensingh Sadar, Islampur and Bakshiganj of Jamalpur, Sadar and Harirampur of Manikganj, Savar of Dhaka, Dirai and Sadar of Sunamganj, Balaganj of Sylhet,  Lalmonirhat Sadar, Sreenagar of Munshiganj, Sonaimuri of Noakhali, Sarail of Brahmanbaria, Debidwar and Monaharganj of Comilla, Chandpur Sadar, Patiya of Chittagong, Pakua and Chakaria of Cox’s Bazar, Kaptai of Rangamati, and Lama of Bandarban.   Besides, eight Jamaat chairman candidates won the polls in Bagha of Rajshahi, Polashbari of Gaibandha, Kahalu and Shibganj of Bogra, Lohagora of Chittagong, Maheshpur in Jhenidah and Chirirbandar of Dinajpur, Shymnagar of Satkhira.   Meanwhile, one Jatiya Party chairman candidate won the polls in Kishoreganj of Nilphamari while an AL rebel candidate in Khaliajuri upazila of Netrakona, two BNP rebel candidates were elected in Shibpur of Narsingdi and Bhanghura of Pabna.   On the other hand, JSS candidates came out winners in Naniarchar of Rangamati, Ruma and Roangchhari (JSS) of Bandarban while UPDF candidate in Laxmichhari of Khagrachhari and independent contestant in Thanchi of Bandarban.   Meanwhile, the results of Fakirhat of Bagerhat, Laksam of Comilla and Tarash of Sirajganj were not declared as re-voting in some polling centres of the upazilas will have be held.   The second phase election in 114 upazila parishad of the country’s 52 districts was held amid stray incidents of violence and irregularities from 8am to 4pm with any break on Thursday.   Besides, election of Noakhali sadar upazila was postponed.   A total of 1,340 candidates contested the election against 345 posts in the 115 upazilas. Of them, 500 were chairman contenders, 506 vice chairman candidates and 334 vice chairman candidates for the posts set aside for women.   There were 19,592,868 voters – 9,805,150 males and 9,787,718 females, 51,129 booths of 8032 polling stations in the upazilas.   On January 23, the EC announced schedule for the second phase in 117 upazila parishads fixing voting for February 27.   The EC, in five phases, declared election schedules for a total of 464 upazilas out of the country’s 487 upazilas.   The third phase election in 83 upazilas will be held on March 15, while the 4th phase in 92 upazilas on March 23 and the fifth phase in 74 upazilas on March 31.

Source: UNB Connect