Independent candidates bagged almost one third of the chairman posts fighting against the Awami League nominees in the first three phases of upazila parishad elections beginning on March 10.

Voters are apparently showing little interest in the ongoing upazila elections, which has seen less than 15 percent voter turnout in at least four upazilas.

In the second phase, 116 upazilas go to polls today amid a growing number of candidates being elected unopposed.

Boycotts by the BNP and other political parties have dampened the spirit of the first phase of elections to 78 upazilas, making the results irrelevant.

An Awami League leader was killed and 22 others were injured in factional clashes over the upcoming upazila election in three districts from Sunday night till yesterday.

A Jubo League leader was shot dead and five others were injured allegedly by their rivals over upazila election in Jamalpur's Dewanganj upazila on Wednesday night.