AL-led grand alliance takes lead

The 11th parliamentary elections ended on Sunday, with sporadic violence and boycott by around 50 opposition candidates halfway through the polling.

At least 16 people, including an Ansar member, were killed in election-related violence in different districts on the day.

The ruling Awami league hailed the Election Commission for holding what it called "free and fair" elections.

But the opposition BNP-led Jatiya Oikyo Front demanded reelection under a neutral government, saying the Commission poked 'a cruel joke' in the name of balloting.

Early results showed that the ruling grand alliance led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League took a clear lead in the election.

Sheikh Hasina is set to smash a record if her party wins the third time. 

It was the first participatory general election under a political government since 1973.

The Commission started to announce unofficial results from 6.0 pm. 

According to unofficial results available until 10-40 pm, the Awami League bagged 184 seats while the Oikyafront got five seats, Jatiya Party 11 and one by another.   

Over 100 candidates boycotted the election, alleging massive rigging by the ruling party with the backing of the law enforcement agencies.

Six opposition candidates in Khulna, four in Chandpur, two in Netrokona, two in Jhenaidaha, two in Habiganj, two in Satkhira, one in Naogaon, two in Barisal, one in Narayanganj, three in the capital, two in Pabna are among those who boycotted the election.

Several opposition candidates came under attack allegedly by ruling party men on the Election Day.

More than 104 million people were registered to vote in the elections to choose 299 representatives to parliament.

A total of 1,861 are competing the country's 11th general elections.

Around 600,000 security personnel, including soldiers, were deployed across the country in a bid to prevent violence.

About the polling, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda said the overall voting situation across the country is good except some sporadic incidents.

"I didn't notice whether BNP agents are absent in the polling stations," he told reporters while visiting a polling centre at Uttara in the capital.

Expressing satisfaction over the polling, the ruling Awami League said that the election was held in a free and fair manner.

In an instant reaction to the media after the poll, Awami League joint general secretary Abdur Rahman said the election was held in a free, fair, festive and peaceful manner.

Talking to reporters, after casting her vote at Dhaka City College polling centre in the capital, Prime Minister and president of the Awami League Sheikh Hasina said, "I believe that people will cast their votes in favour of Awami League to continue the pace of development. The 'Boat' will certainly win."

"I believe in democracy and I have confidence in the people of my country. I'll accept the verdict to be given by people," she added.

However, the BNP-led opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front leaders said it was a "managed election" as massive rigging took place in all the constituencies.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed the election a "cruel joke to the nation."

The nation incurs a great loss, he told reporters at the Gulshan office of the BNP chairperson.

"Awami League cadres didn't allow our polling agents to enter many centers across the country. As per the information, I've received until 11 am, they rigged votes from around 20 per cent of the polling stations," BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told a media briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office in the morning.

JOF chief Dr Kamal Hossian alleged that the ruling party men stuffed ballot boxes overnight well before the start of voting.

He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after casting his vote at Viqarunnisa Noon School centre in the morning.

"Reports have it from outside Dhaka that votes have been cast overnight unlawfully depriving the voters of their right, which is very disturbing," he said.

"We're getting phone calls from different places of stuffing ballot boxes overnight which is shocking. This is the betrayal with the martyrs and Bangabnadhu," said Dr Kamal.

Meanwhile, 43 Jatiya Oikya Front candidates and one independent contestant have announced to boycott the election, citing various irregularities, including vote rigging and capturing of polling stations by ruling party men.

They made the announcement halfway through as they alleged that the ruling party men captured polling stations, rigged votes and barred voters from casting ballots in their constituencies.

At least 16 people, including an Ansar member, were killed in election-related violence in Noakhali, Rangamati, Chattogram, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Natore,Tangail, Narsingdi, Bogura, Brahmanbaria, Gazipur, Sylhet, Jashore and Cox's Bazar districts on Sunday, reports UNB.

Among the victims, eight were said to be the leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League while one was the leader of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal and another was an agent of a BNP candidate.

In Noakhali, Nurun Nabi, an Ansar member, was shot dead by some miscreants at Tulachara Primary School polling station of Noakhali-3 constituency, said presiding officer Prof Dr Suchon Chowdhury.

In Chattogram, Ahmed Kabir, 45, an activist of Jatiya Party, was killed in a clash between Awami League and Jatiya Party activists in Banskhali upazila early in the morning.

In Rangamati, Bashir Uddin, general secretary of Kashkhali union Jubo League unit, was killed in an attack allegedly by some BNP activists at Kashkhali union in Kaukhali upazila in the morning.

In Cumilla, Bachchu Mia, 35, a resident of Sundial village in Nangalkot upazila, was killed in a clash between the supporters of AL and BNP in the morning, said district police special branch sub-inspector Mahbub Morshed.

Besides, a rickshaw-puller Muzibur Rahman, 35, son of Sujat Ali of Muradnagar village of the upazila, was killed in a clash between ruling Awami League and BNP men at Paschim Belashwar village in Chandian upazila.

In Rajshahi, Merajul Islam, 30, son of late Abdus Sattar and an Awami League supporter, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men in Pakuria Government High School centre in Jahanabad union of Mohanpur upazila around 11am over capturing a polling centre of Rajshahi-3 constituency, said Rajshahi district police superintendent Shahidullah.

Besides, Modasser Ali, 40, organising secretary of Awami League No-8 ward in Panchandar union of Tanore upazila, was killed in a clash between BNP and Awami League men over capturing Mohammadpur High School polling station of Rajshahi-1 constituency, said officer-in-charge Rezaul Islam of Tanore Police Station.

In Tangail, police recovered the body of BNP ward unit president Abdul Aziz, 65, who has remained missing since Saturday from Nagda Shimla area in Gopalpur upazila.

In Natore, Hussain Ali, an Awami League supporter, was stabbed to death by his nephew Ratan Fakir following an altercation over casting vote at Samskholsi village in Naldanga upazila.

In Narsingdi, Milon Miah, 35, an Awami League polling agent, was hacked and slaughtered allegedly by supporters of opposition (independent) candidate at Kundarpara Primary School centre of Shibpur of Narsingdi-3 constituency around 12:30 am, said Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge of Shibpur Police Station.

In Bogura, Awami League activist Azizul Islam, 30, was killed and five others were injured in a clash between AL and BNP activists at Bagil polling station in Kahalu upazila around 11:3am over capturing polling station, said Paikor Union Parishad Chairman Mitu Chowdhury.

In Brahmanbaria, Israil, 19, son of Sayedul Islam of Rajghar village in Sadar upazila, was shot dead and three others suffered bullet wounds 'in police firing' during a clash between supporters of AL and BNP at Rajghar Government Primary School polling centre of Brahmanbaria-3 constituency.

In Cox's Bazar, Abdullah Al Faruque, 25, son of Abul Kalam of Rajakhali union in Pekua upazila, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men in Rajakhali Government Primary School polling station of Cox's Bazar-1 constituency around 10am, said Tanzir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Pekua Police Station.

In Gazipur, Liakat Hossain, an Awami League leader and former Vice-President of Kazi Azimuddin College Sangsad, was stabbed to death at Harinal in the city.

Quoting Liakat's brother Ershad Hossain, Samir Sutra Dhar, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said the local activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal stabbed Liakat indiscriminately at a polling centre around 2:30 pm, leaving him critically injured.

Later, he was taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

In Sylhet, a local JCD leader was shot to death during a clash over occupying Azizpur Government Primary School polling centre in Balaganj upazila.

The deceased was identified as Sayem Ahmed Sohel, general secretary of upazila unit JCD.

Quoting witnesses, Mahbubul Alam, sub-inspector of Balaganj Police Station, said a group of people swooped on the polling centre around 3:50pm and tried to occupy it.

As the rival party obstructed them, a clash ensued.

At one stage, Sohel sustained bullet injuries and died on the spot.

In Jashore, Shamsur Rahman, 82 of Pathalia village in Abhaynagar upazila and an agent of BNP candidate for Jashore-4 constituency Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was beaten to death allegedly by his rival group while going to a polling centre in the morning.

Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Abhaynagar Police Station, said a case was filed in this connection.