DHAKA, Bangladesh

At least one person was shot dead and 30 others were injured in violence on Sunday as Bangladesh voted for local bodies, police said.

The South Asian country has two spheres of government: national and local. Besides 329 municipalities, or town councils, there are 12 city corporations, and a three-tiered rural local government system comprising district councils, sub-district councils and village councils. Local body elections are held every five years.

Voting for 55 municipalities began at 8 a.m. local time (0200GMT), and continued until 4 p.m. (1000GMT).

But the process was marred by violent clashes between opposing groups in the southern port city of Chottogram amid claims of rigging and irregularities.

Five candidates backed by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and one independent boycotted the elections.

The deceased has been identified as Abdul Mabud, 45, the brother of a councilor candidate, deputy inspector general Anwar Hossain told Anadolu Agency.

Election authorities requested the citizens to maintain social distancing while voting, but many did not follow the guidelines.

The next phase of polls in 31 town councils is scheduled for Feb. 28, followed by the sixth and final phase on April 7.