Dhaka: Voting in 717 Union Councils (UCs) in 37 districts of the country ended at 4pm on Tuesday amid various irregularities and sporadic violence that left around 70 people injured.

The balloting in the first phase of the UC election began at 8am and continued till 4pm without any break.

According reports reaching the news desk, the voting was marked with violence and anomalies in Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Barisal, Bhola, Sirajgnaj, Bagerhat, Patuakhali and Satkhira districts.

Dozens of people, including three election officials, were injured in the election violence in various places of the districts.

In Noakhali, an assistant presiding officer and a polling officer suffered injuries as miscreants fired shots at a polling centre in Char King union of Hatiya upazila in the morning.

In Barisal, snatching of ballot boxes by ‘unidentified miscreants’ forced the authorities suspend voting at a centre in Korapur union of Barisal Sadar upazila in the morning.

Meanwhile, 15 people were injured in Rahamatpur union of Babuganj upazila in a clash between supporters of BNP-bakced candidate and his AL-backed rival.

Besides, AL-backed chairman candidate Abdul Kader boycotted polls in Dharichar Khajuria union raising allegations of snatching ballots by the supporters of an AL rebel candidate in Mehendiganj upazila.

In Lakshmipur, at least 25 people were injured in separate clashes at different polling stations in three unions of Ramgati and Kamalnagar upazilas in the morning.

In Satkhira, two people were injured in police firing during their alleged attempt to snatch ballots at Bhaghbah polling centre in Kumira union of Tala upazila in the morning.

Meanwhile, polling at 13 centres was suspended in five upazilas of the district followed an Election Commission order over the allegations of seizing control of centres, clashes and bombing.  

The centres kept out of the polling are Bhaghbah, Abhoytala and Datpur in Kumira union of Tala upazila; Alipur, Mahmudpur, Bharakhali Government Primary School and Aminia Dakhil Madrasah in Sadar; Kushodanga and Kolatupi in Kalaroa; Khejurbaria in Parulia union of Debhata and Mehedinagar, Mahjanpur and Purbakhali Government Primary School in Koikhali union of Shyamnagar upazila.

In Sarajganj, at least 10 people were injured in a clash over the capture of a polling station and stuffing ballots in Brahmangachha union of Raiganj upazila.

In Pirojpur, three chairman candidates boycotted the election in as many union parishads of Swarupkathi upazila on various irregularities.

Besides, a man was injured in polls related clash in Kotchandpur of Jhenidah.

In Bhola, at least 10 people were injured in a clash over attempt to cast fake votes at Swedish Free Mission School polling centre in Pashchim Ilisha union of Borhanuddin upazila in the morning.

In Narsingdi, the BNP-backed chairman candidate in Danga union parishad of Palash upazila boycotted the election on charges of various irregularities.

In Pirojpur, three chairman candidates boycotted the election in three union parishads of Swarupkathi upazila on charges of various irregularities.

In Bagerhat, several hundred supporters of a member candidate, Abul Kalam Shikder, attacked in Shingjot Chandipur High School polling centre in Chingrikhali Union of Morelganj upazila at about 9:55am, resulting in the suspension of voting for 2 hours in the centre, said returning officer Pijush Kanti Ghosh.

In Patuakhali, seven people suffered injuries, including two with bullets, in two incidents in Kolapara upazila in the morning.  

In Pabna, BNP chairman candidate in Masumdia union in Bera upazila announced quitting the polls race alleging that votes were rigged ousting his agents from different centres.

As per the Election Commission factsheet, 3,000 candidates for chairman posts are in the election race, in addition to 7,500 women candidates for reserved seats and over 25,000 contenders for member posts in the first phase of the election.

Election to the lowest tier of the local government body is being held along party line for the first time only for the chairman post.  

Fifty-four chairman candidates, all from the ruling party, have already been elected unopposed finding no rival against their respective post. There are no BNP candidates for chairman posts in 121 unions. In the first phase of union council elections, on 23 March elections will be held at Nagarpur in Tangail and on 27 March in two unions at Teknaf in Cox's Bazar. Elections in 4275 unions will be held countrywide in six phases by June.