Minority voters in different areas in Chittagong received threats from workers of the four-party alliance despite huge preparations and safety measures for a free and fair election.
Islami Chhatra Shibir activists and workers of Salauddin Quader Chowdhury allegedly issued the threats in remote poll centres.
However, the minority voters braved the situation and cast votes even after facing the goons on their ways to poll centres.
But a significant number of voters, especially the indigenous people and Biharis [non-Bangalees] could not vote as they were not on the new voter roll.
Around 300 such voters did not find their names on the electoral roll in Ambagan under Chittagong-9 constituency and could not vote.
The first incident of obstruction was reported in Chawk Bazar in the city, a place where majority voters are Hindus.
On information from the grand alliance supporters, police clubbed and shooed away a band of Shibir activists as the gang was barring female voters from going to poll centres at around 9.:00am.
Ten to 15 Shibir thugs were trying to persuade the voters not to vote at Katalganj Govt Primary School in Chittagong-8 saying that wouldn’t do them any good.
In another incident, criminals set fire to three houses in West Barua Para in Fatikchhari [Chittagong-2 constituency] at around 2:00am.
A temple near the houses was narrowly saved but the houses owned by Pulin Bihari Barua, Nil Komol Barua and Jibon Barua were reduced to ashes.
West Nanupur Anandadham Bihar Principal Bimol Jyoti Bhikkhu said they don’t know who did this or what their motive was.
Locals suspect the arson attack was committed to scare the minority voters so that they don’t go to vote.
Around 200 voters of Bank Colony in Chittagong Export Processing Zone under Chittagong-10 constituency didn’t get their voter number and had to return home without casting votes.
Shahazadi, a 65-year-old Bihari voter of School Camp polling centre, alleged she could not cast her vote for not finding her voter serial number. She expressed her sorrow as after 38 years she got back her voting right.
“I am deeply shocked,” she said, adding, “I became a voter again at the age of 65 but could not enjoy my right I don’t know why.”
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, Bangladesh Politics, News
