Violence has marked the Union Parishad (UP) elections in Mostafapur union of Sadar upazila.

Reports of snatching of ballot papers and rigging poured from different polling centres in this union. Before vote counting, supporters of one of two chairman candidates took the streets and started mass agitation. They staged sit-in programme in front of the office of deputy commissioner (DC), Moulvibazar.

When this correspondent tried to establish contact DC, Police Super (SP) and upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) time and again for their comments, they could not be reached. However, some officials working at Sadar upazila election control room said to this correspondent that election and counting of votes concluded in Mostafapur union more or less peaceful.

Elections to six UPs in Sadar upazila was held on February 26. Polling in five other UPs-Giasnagar, Kanakpur, Upper Kagabola, Amtail and Nazirabad was held in a peaceful atmosphere.

In Mostafapur union people began agitation on the election day when some people tried to capture polling booths. They allegedly kicked out the polling agents and snatched ballot papers from polling officers.

In the evening thousands of supporters of chairman candidate Shahed Ahmed brought out a big procession in the town and paraded its main streets

with brooms, shoes and sandals. were in hand. They demanded re-election in Mostafapur. They also chanted slogans against Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, local MP M Naser Rahman and chairman candidate Md Rafiqul Islam (Mani Miah). Afterwards, they went to the DC office where they staged a sit-in to it to press home their demand.

Shahed Ahmed, a follower of BNP told The Daily Star that people took to the streets when his opponent Mani Miah, brother of Minister M Saifur Rahman forcibly captured different polling stations and snatched ballot papers from polling officials.

However, an official message was sent there from the UNO's office declaring Shahed Ahmed unofficially elected. Rafiqul Islam (Mani Miah) lost by more than 1,100 votes, according to the message. At once the agitated people brought out victory procession.

Mani Miah arranged a press conference at his Baharmordan village home at night on the day. He told the newsmen that Shahed Ahmed violated the election code of conduct by resorting to terrorism. He also alleged that Shahed purchased election officials and snatched away people's verdict in collaboration with the election officials. As brother of a minister and uncle of local MP, he showed extreme patience. He demanded reelection there.

Shahed is a former chairman of the UP. Only two candidates both from ruling BNP contested here.