The number of businesspeople contesting the upazila polls has gone up, said a report released by Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday.

Polling agents are being intimidated and beaten up by rivals in two upazilas of Narayanganj as upazila election is underway across the country today, two chairman candidates alleged

More than 57 percent candidates running in the second phase of the upazila polls are businesspeople, according to the affidavits they submitted to the Election Commission.

Shifting focus from its earlier position to keep relatives of its lawmakers from the upazila election, the ruling Awami League now seeks to minimise internal feuds centering on the polls and increase the voter turnout.

Voting was suspended for an hour in a polling centre after a scuffle between supporters of two chairman candidates of Narsingdi Sadar upazila this morning

The first phase of the sixth upazila parishad election is underway in 139 upazilas across the country

A total of 139 upazilas are going to polls today in the first phase of the upazila parishad election amid a lack of enthusiasm and festivity.

The upazila election has exposed how neither of the two major parties, the Awami League and BNP, has full control over the grassroots leaders.

Most political parties are either boycotting or did not field candidates for the upazila elections set to begin in phases from May 8.

The Awami League yesterday instructed its leaders, ministers, and lawmakers not to interfere in the upazila parishad elections and indulge in any activity that could compromise the neutrality of the polls.

The fourth phase of upazila parishad elections yesterday saw sporadic violence and irregularities in a number of places.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday described BNP's announcement of boycotting the upcoming local government polls as “suicidal” for the party.