Violence leaves 7 dead, 3 candidates announce polls boycott

At least seven people were killed in clashes and firing after beginning of voting on Sunday.

The election violence leaves two dead in Chattogram, and one each in Cumilla, Rangamati, Brahmanbaria, Cox’s Bazar and Rajshahi.

Three candidates contesting with the opposition BNP’s sheaf of paddy in Faridpur-2 and Khulna-5 announced boycott of election, alleging massive rigging of votes.

They are Shama Obaid, BNP candidate in Faridpur-2, Miah Golam Parowar, Jamaat candidate from Khulna-5 and Salma Islam, independent candidate from Dhaka-1.

A worker of ruling Awami League named Meraj Uddin, 22, was beaten to death near a polling station in Mohanpur in Rajshahi, Prothom correspondent reports.

A young man named Israel Miah was shot dead in Rajghor village of Brahmanbraia Sadar.

Another man identified as Mohammad Abdullah was killed in a clash between the supporters of the AL and the BNP in Pekua of Cox’s Bazar.

A voter named Mujibur Rahman, 38, was killed when the police opened fire near Belaswar Govt Primary School in Chandina of Cumilla.

An activist of AL-backed Jubo League was killed in an attack allegedly by Jaamat-e-Islami activists in Patia of Chattogram.

Basher Uddin, a Jubo League leader of Kaukhali in Rangamati, was killed in a clash between the AL and BNP men.

Another man was killed when the opposition supporters clashed with the police in Bashkhali, Chattogram.