An activist of the ruling Awami League was allegedly shot dead and 20 others were injured in the separate clashes between the supporters of rival candidates in Narsingdi, Satkhira and Cumilla after the second phase of the union parishad (UP) polls began on Thursday morning.

The deceased was identified as Salah Uddin Miah, 45, resident of Narsingdi's Raipura upazila, Raipura upazila Banshgari Police camp In-charge Md Yusuf confirmed it to media. 

Azizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Raipura Police Station, said the supporters of AL rival candidate Zakir Hossain shot Dulu while he was on his way to the Bashgari UP Complex around 7 am, leaving him dead.

"They also hit Dulu with a fishing spear to ensure his death," the OC said, adding that the body has been sent to the local hospital morgue for an autopsy.

In Cumilla, clashes erupted at Ramprasaderchar Government Primary School polling station in Chaliabhanga around 8:30am, leaving at least ten leaders and activists of two rival candidates - boat symbol holder Abdul Latif and pineapple symbol holder Humayun Kabir – injured.

"Voting was halted for half an hour due to the clash," Meghna police station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Majid said, adding that balloting resumed after the law-enforcement forces brought the situation under control.

"Additional police have been deployed there and legal action is underway in the incident," the OC added.

In Satkhira, two separate incidents of clashes were reported between the supporters and activists of the rival candidates in Baikari Union of Sadar upazila, which left at least 10 people injured.

Satkhira Sadar Hospital emergency department doctor Mushfiqur Rahman said, "By far some 10 people have been admitted to the hospital after clashes in different parts of Baikari Union."

According to the election schedule, the second phase of voting was supposed to take place in total 848 UPs. However, voting in seven UPs has been suspended and cancelled in one union, while all candidates in five UPs have been elected unopposed, leaving 835 UPs for the second phase of voting.

The polling booths will remain open for voters to exercise their franchise till 4pm without any break.

A total of 41,218 candidates are contesting the polls with 3,310 for the post of chairman, 9,161 for reserved women member positions, and 28,747 candidates are vying for the post of member.

So far, total 81 candidates have been elected unopposed as chairman in the second phase.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used in 20 Union Parishads in the second phase.

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Wednesday sought the cooperation of all political parties to keep the situation calm and instructed the law enforcement agencies to stay vigilant and take stringent action against any election centric violence.

He hoped that the voting would take place in a peaceful manner amid festivity.

Despite warnings from the Election Commission (EC), as many as 30 people have been killed and more than 400 injured in violence across various districts till the day before the election.

Speaking on the commission's preparations ahead of the second phase of the UP polls, Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam said, "All preparations have been made to ensure a peaceful environment for the polls.

"Additional law enforcement will be deployed at risky polling centres. The number of BGB on poll time duty has been increased as well. More executive magistrates will be on duty on voting day and hopefully the situation will be under control." 

Meanwhile, the election commission on Wednesday also announced the election schedule for the fourth phase of the Union Parishad Polls. According to the schedule, 840 UPs across the country will go to the polls on 23 December.

The deadline for candidates to submit their nominations is 25 November, nomination papers will be evaluated on 29 November, and appeals can be filed between 30 November and 2 December. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is 6 December.

In the first phase, elections were held in 204 UPs on 21 June, and 160 UPs on 20 September.

The third phase of the UP polls is slated for 28 November.