10 killed Bangladesh local govt body polls violence

Dhaka: At least 10 people, including two candidates, were killed today in violence during the fifth phase of local government body polls in Bangladesh.

Voting was held in 717 unions under 45 districts amid violence and allegations of rigging and other malpractices.

The two candidates killed were Kamal Uddin, BNP rebel chairman aspirant at Comilla's Titas, and Md Yasin, who was vying for the post of member at Chittagong's Karnaphuli, bdnews24.Com reported.

In Jamalpur, poll violence claimed four lives, the highest in a district. They died after police opened fire to put an end to a clash between supporters of two candidates.

An activist of the Juba League, the youth front of the ruling Awami League, was shot dead in Noakhali's Begumganj.

One more died in Begumganj and two others in Chittagong's Patiya after getting caught up in poll violence.

Several people were injured in clashes in Brahmanbarhia and Munshiganj.

More than 80 people have died in election-related violence in the three and a half months since the announcement of the election schedule.

Most of the incidents of violence took place between party candidates and rebels.

Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz admitted the rising trend of violence.

"This time it's more because the polls are on party lines and renegades are challenging regular party aspirants," he said.