January 26, 2003	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 22,1423

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DHAKA, Jan 25: At least three people were killed and 100 others injured ahead of voting in Bangladesh’s staggered local council elections which began on Saturday, reports said.

The deaths were reported from the western Pabna and northwestern Goapalganj districts in the past few days during campaigning for the polls which began on Saturday at 8am (0100 GMT).

The Election Commission and the government have promised tight security to ensure all the phases of the polling, which continues until March 16, are completed without violence.

A total of 198,704 candidates are contesting the local council seats, including 42,250 women, the commission said.

The elected representatives will hold office for a five-year term.

The elections to 4,267 Union Parishads, or local councils, are officially held on a non-party basis, but political parties indirectly nominate candidates to ensure a foothold at grassroot levels.—AFP