Supporters of AL, independent candidates clash near polling centre in last hour

This photo taken on January 7, 2024 shows police personnel gather in front of a polling centre in Jatrabari area after a clash between supporters of AL and independent candidates there. 

Bangladesh desk:    The supporters of the ruling Awami League candidate and the party’s independent candidate clashed in front of a polling centre in Jatrabari over the allegation of ballot stuffing in the last hour of voting on Sunday.

At least three people were injured in the clash in the presence of the police.

The clash broke out in front of the Jatrabari Government Primary School polling centre on Shaheed Faruk Road after 3:00pm, police said.

An Ansar member posted in the centre said that the supporters of the Awami League candidate for Dhaka-5 constituency, Harunur Rashid Munna, and independent candidate Moshiur Rahman Molla Sajal clashed in front of the centre over the allegation of ballot stuffing.

Mahbub Alam, a ruling party activist who is responsible for the centre, said that Moshiur’s supporters tried for stuffing ballots at Jatrabari Government Primary School centre. The activists of the Awami League candidate protested at the stuffing attempt, ensuing a clash that left three activists of Awami League injured.

Awami League activists Yunus, Hasan and Babul suffered injuries on heads during the clash, Mahbub said.

Sajedul Karim, presiding officer of a polling centre in the school, said that the clash did not interrupt voting.

The supporters tried to enter the polling station, but law enforcers stopped them, he said.

The presiding officer said that he did not inform the returning officer and the Election Commission since the clash did not interrupt voting.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Demra zone assistant commissioner Modhusudhon Das said that police rushed to the spot and stopped the clash.

Team of Border Guard Bangladesh also rushed to the spot.

Tension prevailed there even after ending the voting hours.