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.

AL leaders’ consistent refusal to comply with orders undermine party’s credibility

The ruling Awami League issues some directives and makes some strategic decisions before local government polls, but its ranks hardly ever abide by those.

Awami League lawmakers’ urge to tighten their grip on the grassroots seems to be prevailing over the party president’s directive to have their family members and close relatives withdraw from the upazila parishad polls.

BNP will take tough organisational actions against those party men who would contest in the upcoming upazila polls ignoring its decision of boycotting the elections.

The Awami League high command is annoyed with some ministers and party lawmakers for announcing the names of their close relatives as chairman candidates for the upcoming upazila polls.

In the wake of Awami League’s decision not to back any candidate and allow anyone to use the party’s electoral symbol in the upcoming upazila elections, many grassroots and central leaders are throwing their weight behind the candidates of their liking.

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.

Although the BNP has decided not to join the upcoming upazila polls as a political party, many party leaders are in favour of allowing its leaders and activists to contest the elections as independent candidates.

Awami League’s strategic decision to not use the party’s electoral symbol for the upazila polls candidates is aimed at tackling multiple issues at one go.

The first phase of this year's upazila election will be held on May 8, the Election Commission said today