Dhaka: The third phase of Union Parishad (UP) election was fairer than the previous ones, said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Saturday.

‘The third phase election to 614 UPs was held today (Saturday) amid peaceful environment and enthusiasm among the voters. Several stray incidents took place this time as well, but the number of incidents was fewer than that of the previous phases,’ he told a post-election briefing at the Election Commission Secretariat, reports UNB.

The voting in 614 UPs under 48 districts were held from 8:00am to 4:00pm today.

The CEC said there is almost no report of violence and trouble in the polling stations. ‘Long queues of female voters were also seen like the previous first two phases,’ he claimed.

Rakibuddin said a total of 164 people were fined Tk 4,10,100 on various charges of violation of the election code of conduct, while a man was jailed for one month, and another for 20 days.

The balloting was suspended in only 24 polling stations out of 6,075 ones in the third phase against 65 polling stations in the first phase, while 35 in the second phase, the CEC said.

The Election Commission is monitoring the election situation across the country.

Meanwhile, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif alleged that violence and troubles were comparatively massive in the first two phases of the UP elections as BNP instigated independent candidates (rebels) from Awami League in this regard.

He came up with this remark at a post-election briefing at AL President’s Dhanmondi Political Office.

Noting that several minor stray incidents took place in one or two places, the AL leader said, ‘The election was held amid enthusiasm and peaceful environment by and large in the country.’

‘The election was held in free, fair and peaceful manner following strong directives issued by the Prime Minister,’ Hanif said.