Sporadic violence and irregularities at a number of voting centres marked the third phase of upazila parishad elections yesterday amid a low voter turnout.

Chief Election Commission Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed claims that voting in the third phase of Union Parishad (UP) elections was held in a free, fair and congenial atmosphere.

Barely able to walk and bent over with the weight of age, 90-year-old Razia Khatun could not falter the enthusiasm on her face – she had come to cast her vote.

Police played the role of silent spectators at many voting centres when supporters of Awami League mayor candidates prevented voters from entering polling centres, snatched ballot papers and stuffed those in ballot boxes.