At least three persons were killed and dozens injured in violence in six districts in the first phase of union parishad elections yesterday.

Meanwhile, independent candidates vying for chairman posts in several unions boycotted the polls, bringing allegations of vote rigging by Awami League-nominated candidates.

A total of 204 UPs in 13 districts and two municipalities -- Jhalakathi and Setabganj in Dinajpur -- went to polls yesterday.                                                             

By-election to the Laxmipur-2 constituency was also held on the day.

In a statement in the evening, the Election Commission said that apart from some "untoward" incidents, yesterday's elections across the country were held in a peaceful manner.

Our correspondents in different districts reported incidents of violence.

In Barishal, a voter was killed in a clash between supporters of two member candidates in Khanjapur union of Gournadi upazila.

The dead was identified as Mauj Ali Mia, 64, of the same union.

Police and witnesses said supporters of two candidates -- Montu Hawladar and Firoz Mridha -- clashed around noon over casting of fake votes at Kamalapur Government Primary School Centre.

During the clash, several crude bombs went off. Ali, who was going to cast his ballot at the centre, was critically injured in one of the blasts.

He was rushed to a local health complex where doctors declared him dead, said Md Maruf Hossain Khan, superintendent of police in Barisal.

Returning Officer Mamunur Rahman said voting at the centre was suspended for around one hour.

In a separate incident in Barishal, a youth was killed and another injured in post-polls violence in Khanjapur union of Gournadi upazila.

The dead was identified as Abu Fakir, 25, a supporter of member candidate Md Giasuddin, said police.

After voting, the presiding officer at Pangashia Secondary School Centre announced Giasuddin victorious.

Following the announcement, the supporters of member candidate Arot Ali Sarder swooped on the followers of Giasuddin and exploded crude bombs around 6:00pm, leaving Abu Fakir fatally injured.

He was rushed to hospital where he died from his wounds, said Inspector Touhiduzzaman of Gournadi Police Station.

Meanwhile, a man was killed and two others were injured in a clash between supporters of two member candidates in Hazariganj union in Bhola.

The deceased was identified as Monir Hossain (23) of the same union.

The clash took place between supporters of two member candidates  around 11:30am when voting was going on at Dakkhin Char Fakira Kuayed Primary School Centre in Char Fasson upazila.

Monir suffered bullet wound in the clash. He was taken to hospital where doctors pronounced him dead, said police.

"The deceased was probably a supporter of a candidate. But it is yet to be confirmed…," said Sarkar Md Kaysar, SP of Bhola.

Besides, two persons were hit by bullets in Barguna as supporters of two chairman candidates clashed in Badarkhali union of sadar upazila

The clash broke out over establishing supremacy near South Badarkhali Government Primary School Centre around 3:45pm, said KM Tariqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Barguna Sadar Police Station.

In the meantime, at least 15 AL men were injured in Laxmipur as supporters of an AL-nominated chairman candidate clashed with followers of a rebel candidate in Torabganj union of Kamalganj upazila.

In Patuakhali, three supporters of two chairman candidates were stabbed outside Keshabpur High School centre in Keshobpur union of Baufal upazila.

Voting at the centre remained suspended for about one and a half hours following the incident.

In the same upazila, two independent chairman candidates of Konakdia union boycotted the polls, bringing allegations of vote rigging.

Besides, seven out of eight chairman candidates in Sapleza union in Pirojpur's Mathbaria upazila boycotted the elections over allegations of vote rigging by the AL-nominated candidate.

An independent chairman candidate alleged that he was assaulted by the supporters of an AL-backed candidate, who refuted the allegation.

In Indurkani upazila, a mobile court sentenced a youth to eight months' imprisonment for trying to cast a fake vote at Patherhat Government Primary School Centre.

[Our correspondents from respective districts contributed to this report]