DHAKA: Voting in the third phase of 5th upazila parishad elections has begun in 117 upazilas amid festivity and tight security measures Sunday (March 24).

The balloting will continue from 8am to 4pm, without any break.   

Sunday has been declared a holiday in the polling areas.

As many as 1,18,87,751 people are supposed to cast their ballots, in 9,298 polling centers set up in the 117 upazilas.

340 candidates are vying for chairmen posts while 584 and 399 candidates are vying for vice chairmen and women vice chairmen posts respectively. 

As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC) earlier, polls were supposed to open in 127 upazilas in third phase. 

Candidates in six upazilas were elected uncontested and voting in other four upazilas have been deferred, said EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed. 

The first phase polls held on March 10 and the second phase on March 18. Voting will be held in fourth phase on March 31 and fifth phase on June 18.

BDST: 1011 HRS, MAR 24, 2019
SI