Voting under way in violence-hit Bangladesh constituency
By IANSFriday, April 23, 2010
DHAKA - Voting was under way Saturday morning in Bhola-3, a parliamentary constituency in southern Bangladesh that had witnessed pre-poll violence.
Polling began at 8 a.m. in Lalmohan and Tajumuddin towns in the constituency amid tight security, reported Star Online, the website of The Daily Star.
Violence continued on the eve of the polls and the opposition candidate said 300 of his supporters had been injured by the Awami League. He said 50 of them had been injured Friday, New Age newspaper said Saturday.
Ruling Awami League candidate Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shawon and main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed are fighting for the seat.
Amidst pre-poll tension, Hafizuddin had at one stage sought deferment of the poll, but decided to stay in the poll arena.
The by-election has been caused as the Supreme Court invalidated the December 2008 election due to electoral malpractices indulged in by candidates.
A total of 236,922 eligible voters, of which over 50 percent are women, are expected to exercise their franchise.
Bhola is a riverine area with numerous chars (dried up riverbeds).
